Woodbine Entertainment announced that training on the All-Weather Main Track will resume the morning of Nov. 13, following a thorough review and extensive maintenance conducted over the last couple of days.
In collaboration with consultants and suppliers of the Tapeta surface, Woodbine performed a series of maintenance procedures to improve the track's condition and address any safety concerns. This included rototilling the entire surface to a depth of five inches, followed by a deep power harrow treatment, and finishing with the use of a gallop master to ensure an even and consistent surface.
On Monday and Tuesday morning, horses were allowed to gallop on the All-Weather Main Track with no incidents and trainers provided positive feedback. The track will undergo additional maintenance today following this morning's light training, and it is now prepared for breezing and timed workouts starting tomorrow. To enhance safety, a harrow break has been added to morning training sessions as an extra precaution.
Woodbine has been in close communication with the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) throughout the process to keep them informed of the steps taken to address the safety concerns and improve the track's condition.
"The safety of our horses and riders is our highest priority and we have been working diligently over the last couple of days to ensure the track is in optimal condition for safe training and racing," said Bill Ford, Executive Vice President of Racing. "We look forward to reopening the track for training tomorrow and for live racing on Thursday, November 14. We appreciate the patience of our horse racing community and the support of our Tapeta consultants, the HBPA, and the AGCO. We remain committed to maintaining one of the safest racing surfaces in North America."
Live racing is scheduled to resume Nov. 14 at 4:50 p.m. ET.
-Editor's Note: The Ontario Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association also issued an update on Tuesday, thanking the Tapeta team for "their quick response in coming to Canada to help us get things right. They arrived on Sunday morning and have worked nonstop since then. ...Over the past three days, the Tapeta team have rejuvenated the track, made necessary adjustments to the maintenance and harrowing procedures, and implemented processes to help the track adapt to big swings in temperature and the overcall cooling temperatures.
The Ontario HBPA said it received initial positive feedback.
The organization added, "We, however, need to be and will be diligent with our constant contact with Woodbine, Tapeta, and horsepeople, through regular discussions to ensure that the new procedures and maintenance schedules are effective (in) maintaining the surface."
