No More Turf Racing At Woodbine This Year
Woodbine Racecourse management has decided to cancel grass racing for the rest of its meet after some jockeys expressed concerns with the turf course.
All remaining races scheduled for turf in the 2018 season will be shifted to the main track and run on Tapeta, a statement from the track said.
According to Jockeys' Benefit Association of Canada executive director Robert King Jr. the course had frozen spots and soft spots. Horses were stumbling and having a difficult time getting over the course.
But Nov. 15, Woodbine sent out a statement that indicated it was not canceling grass racing, which was scheduled to continue through Dec. 2. That changed Saturday, as freezing weather continued in the region. Woodbine closes its meeting Dec. 16.
Jonathan Zammit, Woodbine's vice president of Thoroughbred racing operations said, "It became clear, with the long-range forecast and with the materialization of winter weather, that it was time to shut down the course."
Zammit also said the time it took to ultimately make the decision to cancel grass racing was part of a process.
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com