from the Ontario Racing Commission

Toronto, ON — An application by Woodbine Entertainment Group to implement a Guaranteed Starter Bonus at Woodbine this winter meet has been approved by the Director.

Similar to programs in place for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, a starter bonus of C$300 will be paid to non-purse winning horses in races at Woodbine until the end of the meet in May. Proposed as a pilot by WEG, the experience of the meet will guide decision-making for the future of the program.

During discussions last fall on the Standardbred component of the Ontario Racing Program, the cost and inconvenience of getting horses to Woodbine was raised as a significant barrier to racing at that track. The starter bonus was suggested as one of the mechanisms to grow the starters per race, a target of the Ontario Race Date Framework to increase wagering at that track.

The Ontario Racing Program was introduced this December with the approval of race dates by the Director. Using the principles of the Race Date Framework and working with industry participants, a more synchronized schedule of racing was developed that sought to balance the needs of the racing participants and the economic realities of the racetrack operators to create a more appealing product for the customer.

Work continues with the next stage of implementation considering technical elements of racing and conditions of racing. This will include standardized conditions, allowances and qualifying times, as well as changes to preference rules to give preference to Canadian based participation. The province-wide racing program is moving towards an established hierarchy of racing that will serve to increase racing opportunities and lay the groundwork for creating an ‘Ontario’ brand of racing to be sold on the domestic and international markets.