The Countdown is on to Sunday’s $1-million Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack! Canada’s Olympic Gold Medal Trampolinist Rosie MacLennan even came out to join-in on the fun, as Post-Positions were drawn for the Race’s nine Competitors. Meet all your Contenders here!

I spent the morning on the Backstretch with some equine Friends, including previous Woodbine Mile Winner and remarkable Champion, Rahy’s Attorney, who soon will begin a second career at Woodbine as a Track Pony. After spending much time at the Farm recovering from a career-ending injury, the eight-year-old looks superb still and I got to watch him do a quick jog before heading back into his stall.

Although they aren’t competing in the Race, I fell in-love with the lovely Ardara, who at three-years-old just began her Career with a decent fourth-place finish this Summer.  Her Trainer Carolyn Costigan who is in no rush with her, has high hopes with her Champion’s Pedigree. As you can see above, we hit it off rather well after I gifted her with some Peppermint Candies, getting rewarded back with a big, minty kiss!

I also got to meet Costigan‘s diminutive Star two-year-old Filly, Nancy O (Ire), who after a workout this morning, was all focused on winding down, grazing on some grass.  Sweetheart.

I also got to hang with Breeder’s Cup Runner-Up Excaper, who went from bored to excited after a few Peppermints, bobbing his head up and down approvingly. On the way out, I ran into Turf Veteran Musketier (Ger), playing with his giant Teddy Bear in his own little fenced-in VIP Area. If that doesn’t melt your heart, I don’t know what will.

Although all five $25 Gift Cards I had up for grabs in my Party with Mr. Will at Woodbine Contest are all accounted for, I do hope to see you at Woodbine on Sunday for some post-TIFF fun and maybe we can even win a little cash to replenish our wallets!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Academy Award-winning Actress Penélope Cruz is every bit as charming in-person as she is on the big screen.  Although, rushed upon arrival of her new Romantic Drama Twice Born, she did promise to come out and sign some Autographs afterward.  Unfortunately though, she first agreed to taking a Photo before her Handler advised there was no time left and then she later told me she had to go. Heartbreak!

Cruz‘s Husband Javier Bardem also currently is in-town doing promotion for his Documentary, Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

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Legendary Actor Robert Duvall greeted Fans with warm reception earlier today at the Press Conference for Billy Bob Thorton‘s latest directorial effort, Jayne Mansfield’s Car. The 81-year-old Actor stopped to take Photos with Fans, interacting with them at length. Who would’ve known that the Star of The Godfather Star would be so friendly?

(Photo credit Mr. Will Wong)

A Jack of all Trades, Billy Bob Thornton was spotted out and about doing Press earlier for Jayne Mansfield’s Car, in which he both directs and acts.  Genuinely a nice Guy, Thornton was generous with Autographs and Photos with his Fans.  The Film premieres this evening at Roy Thomson Hall, centering around two Families brought together by the death of a loved one.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

The brilliant Emile Hirsch is in-town for Sarajevo-set Romance Twice Born.  The Film also stars Penélope Cruz and a Press Conference for it was held earlier today. Hirsch was kind enough to stop for Autographs and Photos with Fans and surely he’ll be doing even more at his Roy Thomson Hall Premiere later tonight.  This is the second consecutive year the Actor has visited. Last year he starred in the outstanding Killer Joe, which premiered at TIFF 2011.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This could well be the Film that gets her some respect. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is no stranger to Toronto after having filmed a couple Movies here over the past few years including Scott Pilgram vs. The World and also The Thing.  She graced the Red Carpet for Smashed tonight at Ryerson Theatre, making plenty of time for Fans after having run behind arriving at the venue.

Winstead is getting Oscar buzz for her work here as a Woman who decides to quit drinking in a relationship which is dependent on Alcohol consumption. I cannot wait to see this.  Smashed hits theatres November 2, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Academy Award-winning Actress Octavia Spencer might’ve been late arriving to the Red Carpet for the Premiere of Smashed tonight, but she sure made-up for it. After assuring Fans she’d come over to them after “taking care of business” first, she signed a storm of Autographs. Unfortunately, due to time constraints she only could sign Autographs today, declining Photos with Fans.

Spencer tells us, “Did you guys get Mary (Winstead)?  She’s gonna get an Oscar for this performance so tell all your friends about the Movie!”.  It takes an Oscar Winner to know one, right?

Mongrel Media releases Smashed on November 2, 2012.

(Photo credit: Catherine Dennis)

One of the Actors whom I wanted to meet most at TIFF 2012 definitely was Jeremy Irvine. The talented and handsome 22-year-old starred in last year’s Best Picture Candidate, War Horse and is here at the Festival with Great Expectations. Irvine stars alongside the likes of Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter and his younger Brother Toby also appears as a younger version of himself in the Film.

I caught-up with the Actor as he left the InStyle Magazine Party at Windsor Arms Hotel and he was nice enough to walk over for a quick Snap, as was his younger Brother who had left much earlier. Expect great things.  Definitely one of Hollywood’s hottest emerging new Talents.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

As promised earlier, I would be giving away a signed Photo from Clary Fray herself, Lily Collins!  The beautiful Actress who recently lit-up the Red Carpet at TIFF 2012 and is in-town filming the destined-to-be-huge The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones!

Instructions are simple.  Follow Mr. Will Wong on Twitter and “like” this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before October 12, 2012.

I couldn’t be any more thrilled to present to you this exciting Giveaway!  Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada & Mr. Will Wong are proud to offer readers a chance to win Advance Screening Passes to see Tim Burton’s FRANKENWEENIE!  Screenings will take place in Vaughan, Mississauga and Downtown Toronto over the next couple weeks.

Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie centers around a Boy named Victor who brings his Dog back to life after he passes on, only to be met with disastrous consequences.   Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau and Charlie Tahan are all featured in Frankenweenie. Watch the Trailer in full here.

Screening Dates are as follows:

Thursday, September 20^th

7:30 pm

Colossus Vaughan

Thursday, September 27^th

7:30 pm

Coliseum Mississauga

Wednesday, October 3^rd

7:00 pm

Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

To enter, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook  before September 17, 2012 and please specify which date you would like to attend. Good luck!

Frankenweenie opens in theatres on Friday, October 5, 2012.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)