Thanks to the Triple Crown-winning accomplishments of AMERICAN PHAROAH, the Public’s interest in Horse Racing has been piqued once again.  Many of us here in Toronto have front-of-the-line access to some of the World’s best at Woodbine Racetrack – just minutes from the Toronto Pearson International Airport – and don’t even know it!

For years now I’ve been singing the praises of the Sport.  I grew-up with it and still love v. much to this day as an Ambassador. It is a great part of our Canadian heritage and something that generates a great  amount of revenue for our Province every year. I’ve hosted events on major Race Days for Newbies and the response always is unanimous  – Horse Racing is exhilarating and fun!

You’ll be thrilled about an amazing opportunity to win a $1,000 Woodbine Gift Card! All you have to do is attend the races at Woodbine at some point in the 2015 Racing Season and post a Selfie on Twitter using the Hashtag #OfftotheRaces to qualify!  How easy! And you didn’t even have to place a bet!  Your Selfie literally could win you a cool grand. Get creative!

THE QUEEN’S PLATE

Canada’s most prestigious and North America’s most historic horse race, the Queen’s Plate, is coming next month and we’re thrilled at what is shaping-up to be the strongest field in quite some time, after witnessing some of our own Canadian-breds do great things south of the border this winter!

Who will be this year’s Queen’s Plate Champ?  Will it be a rapidly-improving Shaman Ghost? Or could it be Conquest Curlinate who stood a real chance at thwarting American Pharoah‘s Triple Crown bid?  Will last year’s two-year-old Champion Conquest Typhoon be ready after some setbacks? Could it be Danish Dynaformer from the barn of Hall of Fame Trainer Roger Attfield who won the official prep race, the Plate Trial? Or how about the promising Ami’s Flatter from the barn of Josie Carroll, the first-ever female Trainer to win the Queen’s Plate? What if it were a filly to win again against the boys in talented Academic?

Some major Race Days this Season at Woodbine Racetrack include:

Sunday, June 14th, the $500k Budweiser Woodbine Oaks and $150k Plate Trial

The Woodbine Oaks is restricted for Canadian-bred Fillies and is the Country’s most important race for the division. Greats like Dance Smartly and Lexie Lou (in 2014) won this Race en route to doing amazing things in the U.S., including both being named Canadian Horse of the Year.

The Plate Trial is considered a key Prep Race for the Queen’s Plate and often determines who will be the Favourite in the Queen’s Plate.  Big Red Mike, Eye of the Leopard,  Alydeed, Izvestia and With Approval are among winners of this race who went on to win the Plate.

Sunday, July 5th, the 156th running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate

The Queen’s Plate is the Country’s top race for three-year-olds, the Canadian equivalent to America’s Kentucky Derby.  Various members of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II have attended the prestigious affair.

The event is highlighted by the Hats & Horseshoes Party –  which all are invited to – sees guests at Woodbine dressing-up in their best attire and hats to celebrate the important race with cocktails, food, entertainment, music and fashion.

Sunday, September 13th, the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile

One of Woodbine‘s marquee fixtures, which traditionally has drawn some of the World’s finest talent as a Grade I race.  The one-mile event on the grass has attracted the likes of Rahy’s Attorney, Shakespeare, Leroidesanimaux, Court Vision and two-time North American Horse of the Year, Wise Dan who won the race twice in 2012 and 2013.

Sunday, October 18th, the $1 million Pattison Canadian International

Most famously known as the race in which legendary Secretariat capped-off his remarkable career, the Pattison Canadian International every year attracts a field rich and deep in quality as the lush turf course Woodbine is known for.  Singspiel, Sky Classic, Chief Bearheart, Infamy, All Along, Majesty’s Prince and three-time Winner, Joshua Tree are among some of the more famous winners of the Grade I race.

Sunday, October 24, the Breeders’ Crown

While most of the races we’ve named thus far are for Thoroughbred horses, Woodbine also is known for its world-class Harness Racing (you know… where horses race in Buggies?).  The Breeders’s Crown is known as a championship night of racing, with purses totaling the millions, seeing Standardbred horses across twelve different divisions compete for titles.  We’re extremely lucky to see the night hosted at Woodbine this year, with the Breeders’ Crown touring different tracks across North America annually.

Stay tuned for our coverage leading-up to the Plate in coming weeks. We’re extremely stoked to be covering some of this year’s Candidates and we’ll be sure to have you Queen’s Plate-ready in-time for that first Sunday in July!

 More info on the Queen’s Plate here.

For more information on Woodbine Entertainment, visit here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.

Melissa McCarthy continues to stamp herself Queen of the Box Office, with her latest Comedy, SPY debuting at number one this weekend for 20th Century Fox with  $30 million from 3,711 theatres.  In fact, since 2011, a remarkable seven out of eight of her Films have debuted in the Top Three, this being her second Film since Identity Theft to debut on-top.  In addition to commercial success, Critics adored the Film with remarkable 95% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore only.

SAN ANDREAS in its second week, lands in second with $25 million for Warner Bros. In two weeks it is just shy of the $100-million mark after a smashing debut at number one last week.

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 debuts in third spot with $23 million for Focus Features/eOne Films, from 3,002 theatres.  Critics gave it favourable reviews with a 60% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences responded fairly well with a B+ CinemaScore.  While a strong showing, this falls short of 2013’s $40 million opening for Chapter 2.

ENTOURAGE: THE MOVIE rewards Fans of the HBO Series handsomely and the Film continuation of the beloved Show, debuts in fourth spot with $18.3 million from 3,108 theatres for Warner Bros. While the Critics were tough on it with a 30% on the Tomatometer, Audiences gave it a decisive “yes” with an A- CinemaScore.

PITCH PERFECT 2 finds itself in fifth $8.5 million for Universal Pictures, now in its fourth week. It now has made $161 million domestically.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is POLTERGEIST with $2.7 million for 20th Century Fox in its third week out. The Horror Remake has made $44 million in its run thus far.

One of 2015’s most buzzed Films comes this October in Steven Spielberg‘s Cold War Thriller, BRIDGE OF SPIES and here’s your first look!  The timing would be perfect for a TIFF ’15 Premiere, no?

Synopsis:
American attorney and U.S. Navy Reserve Commander James Donovan (Tom Hanks) finds himself in the middle of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on a near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of captured American U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers with the Soviet government.

Official Artwork:

See the brand new Trailer:

DreamWorks Pictures release BRIDGE OF SPIES on Friday, October 18, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: DreamWorks Pictures)

I have been intrigued since seeing a Teaser but this looks just phenomenal. And maybe we just might see this at TIFF ’15? A boy can dream, right?  We know this much – the Film will open the 53rd New York Film Festival this September. You’ll be gasping where this new Trailer ends off!

Official Synopsis:

Twelve people have walked on the moon. Only one has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.

Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), is aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, who overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan.

Robert Zemeckis, the master director of such marvels as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Back to the Future, Polar Express and Flight, again uses cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photorealistic techniques and IMAX® 3D wizardry, The Walk is genuine big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds.

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release THE WALK on Friday, October 2, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

Canada! We know you love Ryan Reynolds and we’re excited to partner with VVS Films on an exciting Screening Giveaway for SELF/LESS, in theatres July 10, 2015!  Screenings take place Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax.

Official Synopsis:
A terminally ill elderly billionaire (Ben Kingsley) who is dying from cancer buys a chance for eternal life through an experimental underground medical procedure called “shedding,” which transfers his consciousness into the cadaver of a younger man (Ryan Reynolds).

However, the promise of immortality turns into a nightmare when he experiences flashbacks that reveal the disturbing origins of his new body and he discovers a secret organization that will kill to keep their cause quiet.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook and indicate for me your City. Click “share” on this Post from there for an extra chance, or Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/selfless @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #SELFLESS! Out 7/10!

VVS Films release SELF/LESS on Friday, July 10, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

If you loved Arthouse Comedy Frances Ha, you will be overjoyed about MISTRESS AMERICA, reteaming Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig once again!

Official Synopsis:

In MISTRESS AMERICA, Tracy (Lola Kirke) is a lonely college freshman in New York, having neither the exciting university experience nor the glamorous metropolitan lifestyle she envisioned. But when she is taken in by her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke (Greta Gerwig) – a resident of Times Square and adventurous gal about town – she is rescued from her disappointment and seduced by Brooke‘s alluringly mad schemes.

See the Trailer:

Fox Searchlight release MISTRESS AMERICA on Friday, August 14, 2015.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

Over the past four years, few have risen as quickly as Lana Del Rey, often referred to as a “Gangsta Nancy Sinatra“. Known for her moody, cinematic Catalog of self-penned Tunes which pay homage to Americana of another era, Del Rey is an Artist and a Woman in complete control of her image and musical vision.

This marks the third time Del Rey has visited Toronto, playing Molson Amphitheatre on the Toronto leg of her sold-out Endless Summer Tour. Her Encore-free Set, preceded by Grimes, was an abbreviated 13 songs which certainly are not short on quality. I as a huge Fan of hers however, couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed seeing her perform live for the first time. Believe me, I always find the positive in things, and totally get the understated elegance which Del Rey possesses, but I couldn’t help but feel a great disconnection between her and her material. Perhaps she long is over the phase in her life to which she is confined to singing on some of her older material on this Tour – or maybe she is just fatigued from aggressive touring, but my honest impression is that Del Rey didn’t seem happy about being on-tour. Tunes like Video Games and Shades of Cool simply didn’t translate as well live for me after impacting me so deeply on-recording and vocally some of her performances were off-the-mark.

Nonetheless still, I am still happy to say I’ve seen her perform live at last, although I wish the circumstances were different and that I got more value out of this experience. The fatal omission of one of her signature songs, Young & Beautiful also had me baffled. Lana Del Rey however still to me is a Goddess, all this aside.

Del Rey did mention that she will have a new Disc out this Fall titled Honeymoon, which of course has me excited and perhaps I’ll need to see her again live again when she’s in inspired mode to give it a fair evaluation…

One thing that irks me though is that Toronto Fans were among the first to get Del Rey on the map and in her last two Tours in the City, she’s given little back to Fans.  We hear amazing stories in other Cities how she takes the time after her Shows to greet her hoards of Devotees.  Her Show at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts last Spring had her being scooted away quickly as hundreds of Fans waited patiently by the Stage Door to see her.  Ditto again this time as she was snuck-out of the venue away from Fan view and believe me, hundreds were waiting again.  What gives?

See some Snaps:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 7:39pm PDT

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 7:38pm PDT

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 7:37pm PDT

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 7:03pm PDT

Nobody does the Upfronts bigger than Bell Media year after year, and in celebration of their forthcoming Fall/Midseason Lineup, they brought out some of their big guns to pitch to Media Buyers at a Special Presentation at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

Talent at the Bell Media Upfronts this year included Stars from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, How To Get Away with Murder, Gotham, Grey’s Anatomy, Saving Hope and new Series like Quantico, Blindspot, The Catch (from Shonda Rhimes), Lucifer and Code Black.

See some of the names in-town for the Affair:

Look who came in at the last minute! #BellMediaUpfronts #CTVUpfronts #TheFlash

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:38pm PDT

  #CharlieWeber and me, here for #HowtogetawaywithMurder. #FrankDelfino #BellMediaUpfronts #CTVUpfronts   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 6:23pm PDT

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 6:19pm PDT

Jaimie Alexander (Blindspot)

 

Sorry, one last pic with my fave person of the #CTVUpfronts, #JaimieAlexander, star of #AgentsofShield. Total Babe. #LadySif #Sif #Thor #BellMediaUpfronts #BellUpfront #CTVupfront

 

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:51pm PDT

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 3, 2015 at 6:14pm PDT

  #NickBlood of #AgentsofShield. #CTVUpfronts #BellMediaUpfronts #LanceHunter   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:35pm PDT

#VictorGarber at #CTVUpfronts for #LegendsofTomorrow. #BellMediaUpfronts #DrMartinStein

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:27pm PDT

  #CamrenBicondova + #DavidMazouz at the #CTVUpfronts for #Gotham. #SelinaKyle #BruceWayne #Catwoman #Batman #BellMediaUpfronts   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:14pm PDT

#BenHollingsworth of #CodeBlack at the #CTVUpfronts. #BellMediaUpfronts

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:13pm PDT

  #BonnieSommerville at the #CTVUpfronts for #CodeBlack. #BellMediaUpfronts   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:12pm PDT

#JackyIdo at the #CTVUpfronts for #TheCatch. #BellMediaUpfronts

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:11pm PDT

  #JayHayden at #CTVUpfronts for #TheCatch. #BellMediaUpfronts   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:18pm PDT

#TomEllis at #CTVUpfronts for #Lucifer.#BellMediaUpfronts

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:22pm PDT

  #HayleyAtwell at #CTVUpfronts for #AgentCarter. #BellMediaUpfronts #PeggyCarter   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:23pm PDT

#YasmineAlMassri + #JohannaBraddy of new Series, #Quantico. #CTVUpfronts #BellMediaUpfronts

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT

  #EricaDurance at #CTVUpfronts for #SavingHope. #BellMediaUpfronts   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:16pm PDT

#CaityLotz at the #CTVUpfronts for #LegendsofTomorrow. #WhiteCanary #BellMediaUpfronts

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:15pm PDT

  #CiaraRenee at #CTVUpfronts for #LegendsofTomorrow. #Hawkgirl #BellMediaUpfronts   A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:10pm PDT

#JaimieAlexander at #CTVUpfronts for #AgentsofShield. #BellMediaUpfronts

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 4, 2015 at 3:20pm PDT

President of Bell Media, Phil King, delivered some hard facts to potential Media Buyers.  Last season, CTV aired six of the Top Six new most-watched Series.  Above this, 12 out of their 18 core Primetime Series are less than three years old, pointing-out their commitment to always deliver fresh, evolving programming options.

We’re sure excited to see some of these new Series this Fall/Midseason and thrilled to see the positively awesome Jaimie Alexander get her long overdue moment in the spotlight on new Series, Blindspot. And if there is any one new Program, destined to succeed, we’re certainly placing our bets on prophetically-named Legends of Tomorrow!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Although it doesn’t have the starpower it’s had in years past, the Rogers Upfronts are here today, a prelude to three days of Special Presentations to Media Buyers for the upcoming Television Season from Canada’s Broadcasting Giants.

Here to ring-in the festivities, among others is acting Veteran Robert Patrick who stars in SCORPION as Cabe Gallo, set to air a second season on CITY.  The Series centers around a Computer Expert who calls on his genius friends to help solve problems and save lives.

Patrick who has appeared in several high-profile TV Series and Films including True Blood, Sons of Anarchy, Walk the Line, The Sopranos and Terminator 2: Judgment Day made a visit to Breakfast Television unannounced and was awesome to stop for some Photos with Fans who were excited to see what surprises Rogers had to unveil.

We hear that an acclaimed Teen Star from an eagerly-awaited new Series will be unveiled tonight too!  News was announced earlier that The Mindy Project, despite no longer getting major network distribution in the U.S., will continue to air in Canada on the Network, while new additions like Muppet Show, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, Scream Queens from Glee and American Horror Story Creator Ryan Murphy, will debut this Fall on CITY too.

See a Preview of their Fall/Mid-Season Lineup:

See our Snap:

With #RobertPatrick, in town promoting new series, #Scorpion at the Rogers Upfronts! #SonsofAnarchy #TrueBlood #EndlessLove #BridgetoTerabithia #WalkTheLine #Terminator

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 2, 2015 at 8:22am PDT

(Photo/video credit: CITY/Mr. Will Wong)

Easily one of the hottest leading men of the ’90s, Dermot Mulroney has built an eclectic career on memorable roles including August: Osage County, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Grey and more recently, Insidious: Chapter 3 and TV series, Shameless.

The Actor currently is in Toronto working on Drama Lavender, in which he stars opposite Abbie Cornish. The Thriller has a Woman revisiting her childhood, forced to revisit a massacre in which her life was spared.

We spotted the Actor out and about after a day of work on a grocery run.  Despite not recognizing him almost in his glasses, Mulroney was kind to stop quickly for a Photo. We honestly thought we were looking at Robert Downey Jr. for a quick moment!  Really.

See our Snap:

Remember #DermotMulroney? The Star is in Toronto filming new Thriller, #LavenderMovie.

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 1, 2015 at 9:27pm PDT

Lavender wraps late June.

(Photo credit: eOne Films/Mr. Will Wong)