Jim Lawson

X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC's Moira (Ghostzapper) was listed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite during Wednesday morning's post position Queen's Plate draw, held at Woodbine's newly-opened Stella Artois Terrace. In addition to the Woodbine Oaks winner, who will exit gate 8 with regular pilot Rafael Hernandez aboard, a total of 10 colts have signed on for Sunday's $1-million 10-furlong Classic, the first jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. "Typically, when you win the Oaks, depending on how impressive they are doing it, you always have to...

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) will return as title sponsor of the Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing in 2022, Woodbine Entertainment announced Thursday. The OLG Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of The Queen's Plate, to be run Aug. 21 at Woodbine Racetrack, the Prince of Wales S., to be run Sept. 13 at Fort Erie Race Track, and the Breeders' S., to be run Oct. 2 at Woodbine. "Woodbine is pleased to once again partner with the OLG for the prestigious Canadian Triple Crown," said...

Woodbine Entertainment is partnering with the You Can Play Project (YCP) to increase the level of inclusion for everyone who participates in the sport of horse racing. This includes 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, administrators, horse people, and fans. Woodbine is the first horse racing organization in all of North America to partner with the YCP. "This partnership is a reflection of our determination and commitment to do more to break down barriers and make our sport more inclusive," said Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. "Horse racing has a rich history throughout the world,...

Woodbine's Senior Vice President of Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing Jessica Buckley resigned from her position to pursue other opportunities, according to a press release circulated on Twitter Friday. Buckley had been in that role since 2020. Prior to that, she served as President of Woodbine Mohawk Park. "On behalf of our organization, I would like to sincerely thank Jessica for her many contributions to our business, the horse racing industry, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and both our Standardbred and Thoroughbred Racing programs," Woodbine's Jim Lawson said in the release. Woodbine Entertainment...

Jason Portuondo, the longtime on-air simulcast host at Woodbine Entertainment, will be leaving the organization after the June 26 show. Portuondo, who has been with Woodbine since 2014, has accepted a role with the AGCO as a Racing Official. "Jason has been a big part of our racing product over the years and represented our brand, our sport, and our industry with professionalism, enthusiasm, and integrity," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "Although we will certainly miss Porty, it's comforting to know he will remain in our industry, and we...

Canadian Hall of Fame jockey Hugo Dittfach passed away at the age of 85. A refugee from East Germany, Dittfach spent three years in a Russian concentration camp in Poland during World War II before emigrating to Canada. He began his riding career in 1956 and was a leading rider in Western Canada before relocating to Ontario. Dittfach won the 1961 Queen's Plate aboard 20-1 longshot Blue Light. The pair just edged the world's leading race-winning jockey Johnny Longden and race-favorite Just Don't Shove in one of the closest finishes...

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) will partner with Woodbine Entertainment Group for the 2021 Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. OLG has been a long-time sponsor of the Triple Crown, encompassing the Queen's Plate at Woodbine, the Prince of Wales S. at Fort Erie and the Breeders' S. at Woodbine. "OLG's continued support of horse racing helps organizations like Woodbine bring the fast-paced action of horse racing to more Ontarians," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "With their support, we are able to enhance premier Thoroughbred racing events...

Woodbine Racetrack will allow spectators--at 25% capacity in the grandstand and on the track apron--beginning on Canada Day, July 1. "We are thrilled to be able to open our doors on Canada Day and welcome back our owners and some spectators to the track who have been dearly missed," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "We have been operating live racing for a couple of weeks now, but it's just not the same with empty stands. We are thankful to the government for entrusting us to safely welcome back a...

The Senate of Canada passed Sports Betting Legislation (Bill C-218) at Third Reading debate on Tuesday. The Bill will now proceed to Royal Assent, the final milestone to legalize single event sports wagering in Canada. "This is a significant day for what is now an emerging sector in Canada that will regulate sports betting, generate new revenues and create new jobs," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "Congratulations to the Federal Government for taking this important step forward and creating a substantial opportunity for the Canadian economy." Bill C-218, which...

With news that the province of Ontario has entered Step One of the 'Roadmap to Reopen' plan earlier than anticipated, officials at the Woodbine Entertainment Group have announced that Thoroughbred racing will return to the track this Saturday, June 12, with first post set for 1:20 p.m. ET. "While it has been a very frustrating period, I would like to thank the Government of Ontario for the recent attention it has given the horse racing industry," said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "In particular, I would like to thank Premier...

Woodbine has released a stakes schedule for its 2021 Thoroughbred meet, which has been delayed from its Apr. 17 scheduled opening due to COVID-19 restrictions in the province of Ontario. As it stands, the track is targeting a June 18 start date, with the possibility of opening sooner. The stakes program offers more than C$16.5 million in purses, including 39 graded events and two million-dollar races, the Queen's Plate--still on its original Aug. 22 date--and the Sept. 18 GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile, one of three "Win and You're" in races...

Edited Press Release The Government of Ontario announced a three-step 'Roadmap to Reopen' the economy plan Thursday 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 Monday, June 14. Officials at Woodbine Entertainment have announced that the 2021 Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park will resume Monday, June 14, and then continue its regular five race days per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). The 2021...