On Thursday (May 20), the Government of Ontario announced a three-step ‘Roadmap to Reopen’ the economy plan based on decreased daily COVID-19 case counts, lower hospitalization rates, and the percentage of vaccinated residents. Live horse racing is included in Step One of that plan, which is estimated to begin on Monday, June 14.
“On behalf of the Ontario Racing team, we appreciate the Premier’s Office and health officials’ efforts in outlining a path for the return of live racing,” said John Hayes, Independent Chair, Ontario Racing. “We also appreciate the efforts of our industry partners, in working tirelessly to achieve this outcome. We now look forward to the return of horse racing, an industry that thousands of people throughout Ontario depend upon as their livelihood. To all Ontario horsepeople, we thank you for your passionate support of horse racing and the resilience you have shown throughout these extremely difficult times.”
Based on that date, Woodbine Entertainment announced today (May 20) that the 2021 Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park will resume on Monday, June 14, and then continue its regular five race days per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). The 2021 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine Racetrack will commence on Friday, June 18 and continue Saturday, June 19 and Sunday, June 20 for the opening weekend. It will then go to four race days per week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
Woodbine Entertainment also confirmed that it is prepared to accelerate the resumption of live racing sooner if the Government of Ontario enters Step One of the ‘Roadmap to Reopen’ plan earlier than expected.
“On behalf of the horse racing industry and the thousands of families who depend on it, I would like to thank the Premier’s Office and local health authorities for providing some much-needed clarity,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “While the timing is not ideal, we can now prepare for the resumption of live racing with a degree of certainty. I would also like to acknowledge Ontario horse people for their patience and resiliency during the past several months.”
Woodbine Entertainment also confirmed that it has received permission from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to host qualifier races at Woodbine Mohawk Park starting on Thursday, May 27.
Updated stakes schedules and condition book/sheets will be shared in the coming days.
(OR / Woodbine)
Mr. Mobley: Being vaccinated
Mr. Mobley: Being vaccinated DOES NOT mean you are immune from Covid and its many variants. It means that if you contract Covid, you probably won't suffer as much a person who was not vaccinated.
There are 14 qualifiers this
There are 14 qualifiers this Thursday and 15 qualifiers on each of this Friday and Saturday. On what COVID health and safety basis could those qualifiers be distinguished from racing in the eve? I’ve read above that the right people in the Premier’s office have been supportive but the Ministry of Health won’t engage. The Ministry of Health reports to the Premier. In the real world, if the Premier’s office really is supportive, the request would be made to have a 15 min conference call/zoom conference at any time during a 24 hour day with whomever the Premier’s office needs from the Ministry of Health.
I live in Maryland, in a
I live in Maryland, in a suburb of Washington, D.C., in the United States. Everyone here who wanted to be vaccinated probably received the vaccine last month, yet we're still required to wear masks while indoors.
Harness racing has had two
Harness racing has had two starts and stops of racing following the covid protocols with good success, and this was with no vaccine available. Now that a large majority of horse men and women have received their shots, makes returning to racing more safe than the first two restrictions. Going back to racing and following protocols only makes sense to start up again. Horse men and women have shown they can follow protocols.
I'llHaveAnother Ontario Needs Racing- Let's get going.
Where is it we can find out
Where is it we can find out what the pourcentage of Ontario people that are now vaccinated - how far are they from 60%? Is it possible that number could be reached earlier in June and have racing start before the 14th... or by their calculation the fastest the 60% could be reach is around that time?
In reply to Where is it we can find out by Gil
According to the government's
According to the government's press release on Thursday, Ontario has administered first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to over 58.5 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over. Over two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ontario since the start of May, and the province remains on track to have administered first doses to 65 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over by the end of May.
It would really be nice if
It would really be nice if some one in the racing world would alert the P.C.'s that
because June 14 falls on a Monday, the advantages to pushing the first day forward to June 12th would be HUGE for ALL concerned - including tax $$ for the Gov't!!
ELEVEN tracks would race either 12th and / or 13th , BUT only MOH and GRR are likely going to go on 14th!
Let's get that changed!!
While Mr. Lawson must give
While Mr. Lawson must give the politically correct response to this announcement, I find it an egregious miscalculation by the provincial government on what has been accomplished by this sport on keeping participants safe when allowed to operate during this pandemic. It appears this continues. PITY.
All of your efforts have paid
All of your efforts have paid off Jim hopefully we can keep on racing.