Tribute to honor fallen horses Thursday night at Woodbine
January 6, 2016,by John Siscos, WEG Media
Toronto, ON — The fire at Classy Lane Stables, which took the lives of 43 horses, has had a deep and dramatic impact on Ontario’s horse racing community.
The Thursday, January 7 card of racing at Woodbine will be dedicated to the equine lives lost.
The tribute will begin at 6:50 p.m. with a video presentation of the fallen horses. Immediately following, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Woodbine will observe a minute of silence in remembrance.
Flags at Woodbine will be flown at half-mast on Thursday night through the conclusion of the Saturday night program of racing.
Former Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announcer Frank Salive will be the guest race caller for the evening.
“As a horseperson, I can imagine how difficult a time it is for those that lost horses, who are like members of the family. It is heartbreaking,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group. “Our deepest sympathies are with everyone impacted by this tragedy.”
Media are welcome to cover the tribute and are asked to use Gate nine on the west-end of the Woodbine property for access to the Standardbred paddock and arrive by 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Racing fans are invited to watch the video tribute, which will be broadcast through the facility, on HPItv, online at www.WoodbineEntertainment.com and across North America on Woodbine’s simulcast feed.
A GoFundMe page http://weg.bz/supportclassylane, created by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA), has been set up to support those impacted by fire.
- Tragic fire at Classy Lane in Ontario (Tuesday, January 05, 2016)
A barn fire at Classy Lane Training Centre in Puslinch, Ontario, started at roughly 11 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 4) and claimed the lives of more than 40 Standardbred racehorses.
- Post Time with Mike and Mike announce fundraiser for Classy Lane horsemen (Tuesday, January 05, 2016)
Post Time with Mike and Mike would like to express their deepest condolences to those affected by the fire at Classy Lane Farm on Monday (Jan. 4) in Ontario.
- Meadowlands to host benefit for Ontario fire victims (Tuesday, January 05, 2016)
The Meadowlands Racetrack and its horsemen are joining together this weekend (Friday and Saturday) to raise funds for the victims of a devastating fire at Classy Lane Training Center in Ontario on Monday that killed more than 40 Standardbred racehorses.
- USTA donates $5,000 to Classy Lane fire fund (Wednesday, January 06, 2016)
The U.S. Trotting Association announced Wednesday that it will make a $5,000 contribution to the official fund set up by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association to assist all of those affected by the tragic barn fire at Classy Lane Training Centre in Puslinch, Ontario on Monday evening.
- Ohio horsemen show support for Classy Lane barn fire (Wednesday, January 06, 2016)
On Saturday, January 9, 2016 Ohio Horsemen statewide will show support for the victims of the Classy Lane fire in Ontario,
- Big Jim breeding to benefit Classy Lane Fire Relief Fund (Thursday, January 07, 2016)
Phil Hudon is offering for sale a 2016 Big Jim breeding with all proceeds going to the Classy Lane Fire Relief Fund.
- Tribute held for Classy Lane victims (Friday, January 08, 2016)
Woodbine Entertainment Group dedicated Thursday evening’s (Jan. 7) card of racing to the equine lives lost in Monday night’s (Jan. 4) barn fire at Classy Lane Stables.
- PHHA pledges $10,000 to benefit Classy Lane fire victims (Friday, January 8, 2016)
To help provide immediate assistance for those affected by the tragic Classy Lane Training Center fire in Puslinch, Ontario, the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association will contribute $10,000 to the fund created by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association.