This week is one of special significance for Woodbine Entertainment as the operator celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Woodbine Mohawk Park. Over its six decades of premium horse racing, the track has become witness to many unforgettable memories for Ontarians and broader audiences. For the weekend, the track has prepared some exciting 60th-anniversary festivities.
Initially known as Mohawk Raceway, the track first opened its doors for racing on April 26, 1963, now 60 years later is one of the industry-leading facilities for world-class Standardbred races. It is based in Campbellville and also boasts a slots parlour with 1000 slot machines. Some of the slot revenue is put into increasing purses for its many races.
Festivities Over the Weekend
The Standardbred oval has been the home to many emblematic moments over its 60t years of operations and its exciting stakes schedule promises even more. Prominent horses such as Cam Fella, Odies Fame, Admirals Express, Peaceful Way, Somebeachsomewhere, San Pail and Bulldog Hanover are just a few of the many that have impressed the crowd at the track.
For its celebrations, the track will offer treats to fans, as the first 300 fans through the doors on Friday and Saturday will receive cupcakes. It will also provide strolling entertainment and a specialty drink. Meanwhile, its Saturday evening card will include a celebratory program, and its seventh race will be titled the “Mohawk 60th Anniversary Pace”.
However, that is not all, as the track will also present its new Track Lights Colour Show after Race 7 on Friday and Saturday. This is possible after the recent LED track lights upgrades at the facilities allowing synchronized light and audio shows, similar to those that can often be seen in arenas and stadiums of massive sporting events.
Over the weekend the Campbellville track will also host the third leg of the Ontario Sired Graduate Series on both Friday and Saturday. The race for four-year-old trotters and four-year-old pacing mares will be contested on Friday, meanwhile, the one for the four-year-old Open Pace division will be on Saturday. As usual, post times for each night of live racing are at 7 p.m.
Latest on Woodbine
In the meantime, Woodbine Entertainment has to deal with a complaint launched against it by Fort Erie Race Track. The latter cited scheduling and horse supply issues and that Woodbine allegedly held a monopoly on the local horse racing industry. The track’s grievance has been submitted to the Canadian Trade Commission for review.
In April, the leading operator of horse racing also announced that it will be saying goodbyes to its long-term CEO and President Jim Lawson. Currently, there is no exact date on when he will depart from the position but it is expected to be in the fall of 2023. However, expectations around the group are that he will stay with the operator but under a different role.
Source: “Woodbine Mohawk Park celebrates turning 60” Woodbine Entertainment, April 26, 2023
