Update: Ontario Enters Provincewide Lockdown

In News by COSA

As a result of the province-wide lockdown announced on Thursday (April 1) by the Government of Ontario, harness racing will be suspended at Rideau Carleton Raceway, The Raceway at the Western Fair District and Woodbine Mohawk Park effective Saturday, April 3.

Live racing was previously suspended at Flamboro Downs when the City of Hamilton was placed in lockdown as of March 29.

The lockdown, announced by Premier Doug Ford in an implementation of the government’s emergency brake, is the second such measure that has impacted the 2021 harness racing season, as the province’s Standardbred industry was shuttered for roughly seven weeks with the last lockdown announced before Christmas in 2020. Racing resumed at four racetracks without incident in mid-February.

“Although we are disappointed that we must temporarily cease live racing in Ontario, we continue to be supportive of the Government’s efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John Hayes, Independent Chair, Ontario Racing. “The welfare of our horsepeople and horses continues to be our top priority. We look forward to the day when we can safely resume live racing, which supports thousands of hardworking people and their families.”

As with the previous shutdowns, Ontario Racing will assess the situation internally, as well as with industry partners, health officials, and racetrack operators, and share any pertinent information with the horse racing community.

UPDATE: In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson indicated that while horse racing will pause on Saturday per provincial guidelines, local health authorities can give the green light for horse racing to resume in their region. Lawson’s statement and a statement from Woodbine Mohawk Park follows.


Live racing to be temporarily suspended at Woodbine Mohawk Park

Woodbine Entertainment Thursday (April 1) announced live Standardbred racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park will be temporarily suspended following this Friday’s (April 2) card due to the Government of Ontario imposing a province-wide “emergency brake”, effective Saturday (April 3) at 12:01 a.m. (EDT).

Live horse racing, without spectators, is not currently permitted during the Government of Ontario’s emergency brake shutdown, which will be in place in for a minimum of four weeks.

Woodbine Entertainment continues to engage in discussions with the Provincial Government and Halton Region regarding the request to continue safely operating live racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park during this shutdown or a lockdown situation.

As part of these discussions, Woodbine continues to demonstrate its commitment to safety through its industry-leading COVID-19 Prevention Protocols and a safety record that includes not a single case of on-site transmission of the virus at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Live racing is schedule to be conducted Thursday (April 1) and Friday (April 2) prior to the shutdown. Post time is 7:00 p.m. (EDT).


Update to Woodbine Mohawk Park Horsepeople

Woodbine Mohawk Park Horsepeople,

The Government of Ontario announced today that it is activating a Province-wide ‘emergency brake’ shutdown as a result of an alarming surge in case numbers and COVID-19 hospitalizations across the province. Currently, the measures included in the shutdown allow for training, but not live racing without spectators.

In advance of today’s news of a Province-wide ‘emergency brake’ shutdown, I had a conversation with the Province this morning regarding our request to be permitted to safely operate live racing during the shutdown. The Province indicated its support for this request so long as the local health authority also approves.

We are in contact with officials from the Halton Region where Woodbine Mohawk Park is situated. Over the coming days we will continue to make our case with the region’s health authorities by demonstrating our commitment to safety, sharing our industry-leading COVID-19 Prevention Protocols, and reminding them that we have not had a single case of on-site transmission of the virus at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

As of Saturday, April 3, we will be required to suspend racing until we receive the necessary permission from local health authorities to safely operate live racing during this shutdown. Please prepare accordingly but also rest assured that we are doing everything we can do be able to resume racing as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, and in accordance with the measures of the shutdown, we will continue to offer training at Woodbine Mohawk Park. More details regarding this will be shared by the Race Office shortly.

While you are at Woodbine Mohawk Park this weekend for live racing, please continue to be safe and follow all COVID-19 Prevention Protocols as you have done so well over the past year.

Thanks,

Jim Lawson