Woodbine's 70th thoroughbred racing season ready to get off and running
With all the logistics having been worked out, it's now time for the horses to begin the show at Woodbine.
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The track's 70th thoroughbred racing season begins with a nine-race card on Saturday after the track and horsemen agreed in late March to a new two-year agreement which will see an additional $5.7 million in purse money distributed over 128 days, just one day less than what was run previously. This agreement ended a months-long stalemate but the industry still faces challenges.
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Adding to issues the sport has faced over the past several years — such as dwindling horse population and the competition from sports betting — is the effect the Canada-U.S. tariff war could have on the horse racing industry.
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But those issues haven't stopped the show entirely and local fans are in for some entertainment between now and mid-December.
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There are two significant changes to the stakes calendar. The E.P. Taylor Stakes will be run on the King's Plate undercard and is now a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifier for the Filly and Mare Turf. Also, the Canadian International is back after a one-year absence.
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Leading the jockey colony is Sahin Civaci. The Vancouver native won 170 races in 2024 for his first Woodbine riding title and first Sovereign Award. He was followed by Rafael Hernandez with 140.
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They will be joined by Patrick Husbands, Fraser Aebly and Sofia Vives, who was named Canada's outstanding apprentice jockey on Thursday.
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Fans also are looking forward to the returns of two riders from serious injuries.
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Pietro Moran, the 19-year-old son of fellow rider David Moran was enjoying a very good campaign before a spill in the final race on Prince of Wales day at Fort Erie ended it.
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Emma-Jayne Wilson, who became the career leading money-earner amongst North American female jockeys last year, is recovering from an injury suffered on Oct. 25 when her mount suffered cardiac arrest, sending her crashing into the rail resulting in severe neck and pelvic injuries.
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Mark Casse again will have a strong local contingent, looking for his 17th Woodbine training title. He will be prominent on Kentucky Derby weekend as well. He looks to win the Kentucky Oaks with La Cara on May 2 and a day later, will enter Sandman in the Run for the Roses itself. Both runners are among the top contenders in their races.
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Kevin Attard, who won the King's Plate with Caitlinhergrtness and later in the year had the biggest win of his career when Moira won the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, will hold a strong hand, as will veterans Martin Drexler, Josie Carroll and Bob Tiller.
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'You always want to set the bar higher and chase those big wins,' Attard, who was honoured Thursday with his first Sovereign Award as Canada's outstanding trainer, told Woodbine Entertainment. 'Whether it's young horses just starting out or others that are a year older and a year wiser, there's always a feeling of excitement whenever you walk into a barn.'
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