Yesterday we sent-off a Legend.  Known as “The Voice of Woodbine” for the past 29 years, Race Announcer Dan Loiselle now is officially retired after calling his final race yesterday, the Lady Angela Stakes at the Toronto Racecourse.

As a huge Racing Fan, this comes with mixed emotions.  Sure, we are happy to see him get a well-deserved break at last but more for selfish reasons, we are sad to see him go.  Since childhood and as long as I remember going to Woodbine Racetrack, Loiselle‘s voice became synoymous with the thrill of a stretch drive, distancing the Winner that much further from the Runners-up. It could have been a Photo Finish, but Loiselle had you believing the Winner won by a mile. Each Race Call had its own individual story and he never was short on ideas to tell them smartly.  Fans partly were cheering for the horses and jockeys, but few could deny that the excitement of a race finish at Woodbine was heightened considerably by Loiselle‘s exhilarating narrative. The tremor in his Baritone, the perspective and heart of a true Racing Fan. He told each Race as a Fan would see it, but a level of dexterity and accuracy no other Fan ever could.

Upon running into Loiselle this past Winter at an Open House event which he hosted, I semi-jokingly expressed my disapproval of his then-forthcoming retirement, crying “How dare you retire on me Dan!?”.  He gave back an appreciative expression, but I knew at that point he was beyond a doubt certain of his decision and there wouldn’t be any reconsideration. Trust me, we’ve seen many false retirements in the Sport.

It brings me a great sense of pride to know that Loiselle considers me a Friend and upon exchanging hugs before his final Race Call yesterday, he tells me, “Will Wong, you’re a great Friend to have!”.

I’m going to miss Dan Loiselle so much, but know he won’t be that far away.  I wish his Wife Wendy Loiselle, also an Employee at Woodbine nothing but happiness in this next chapter of their lives.  We also look forward greatly to the Race Calls of Robert Geller, who comes to Woodbine Saturday, June 13th, by way of Emerald Downs in Washington.

Some of my favourite Race Calls from Loiselle…

Dance Smartly winning the Breeders’ Stakes:

Sky Classic winning the Rothman’s International:

Benburb winning the Molson Export Million:

Izvestia winning the Queen’s Plate:

Lexie Lou winning the Queen’s Plate:

See our Snap:

So honoured to call this man a Friend. Sad to be sending off The Voice of @woodbineracing, #DanLoiselle today. The joys he has given us racing fans are uncountable. Wishing him a well-deserved and happy retirement! #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 31, 2015 at 10:52am PDT

Sending off #DanLoiselle in celebratory fashion! A big round of applause for the Voice of @woodbineracing! #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on May 31, 2015 at 12:16pm PDT

(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment/Mr. Will Wong)

The 2014 Sovereign Award Nominees have been announced and we’re thrilled to see many of our Friends get recognition at the Awards, honouring the finest in Canadian Thoroughbred Racing on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Make no mistake – Horse of the Year honours truly is a one-horse Race with Canada’s star Filly and Queen’s Plate Champion LEXIE LOU a horseshoe-in for the win, although Finalists in that coveted category only will be revealed the night of the Awards.

Expected to win Two-Year-Old Male by a margin is Conquest Tsunami, who had a marvelous campaign for his Illinois-based Owners Conquest Stables LLC, before finding some success in the U.S..   Champion Three-Year-Old Male is a competitive division in a year where the spotlight was shared by several Boys including Breeders’ Stakes Winner Ami’s Holiday and Prince of Wales Stakes Winner, Coltimus Prime. Mark Casse is expected to be a definitive choice in the Trainer category, winning 93 races and $7.7 million in purse earnings at Woodbine. Patrick Husbands, a regular rider for Team Casse also is a clear-cut choice in the Jockey category with 170 wins in 2014 at the Toronto Oval.

Here are the Nominees in all categories:

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Brooklynsway
Conquest Harlanate
London Tower
Mississippi Delta

Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Conquest Tsunami
Conquest Typhoon
Decision Day
Phil’s Cocktail

Champion Three-Year-Old Female
Executive Allure
Lexie Lou
Paladin Bay
Sweater Weather

Champion Three-Year-Old Male
Ami’s Holiday
Coltimus Prime
Florida Won
Heart to Heart

Champion Older Female
Hillaby
Silent Star
Spring in the Air
Strut the Course

Champion Older Male
Calgary Cat
Lukes Alley
Sharp Sensation
Sky Captain

Champion Female Turf Horse
Deceptive Vision
Executive Allure
Lexie Lou
Royal Fury

Champion Male Turf Horse
Dynamic Sky
Excaper
Heart to Heart
Sharp Sensation

Champion Female Sprinter
Cactus Kris
Executive Allure
Hillaby
Spring in the Air

Champion Male Sprinter
Calgary Cat
Excaper
Phil’s Dream
Sharp Sensation

Outstanding Broodmare
Cruising Kris
Eye of the Sphynx
Star Guest
Uproar

Outstanding Breeder
Adena Springs
Paradox Farm Inc.
Sam-Son Farm
William Sorokolit

Outstanding Owner
Gary Barber
Conquest Stables, LLC
John C. Oxley
Sam-Son Farm

Outstanding Trainer
Josie Carroll
Mark Casse
Brian Lynch
Greg Tracy

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Damario Bynoe
Sheena Ryan
Ericka Smilovsky
Nick Webb

Outstanding Jockey
Luis Contreras
Eurico Da Silva
Patrick Husbands
Rico Walcott

Nominees in Media Categories also will be announced late February and we wish all our Friends the best of luck!

Maybe one day we’ll be good enough to get a nod!

The 2015 Thoroughbred Season at Woodbine Racetrack begins Saturday, April 11, 2015 and we can’t wait for this winter to be over so that we can reunite with our Fave!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Horses always have been my other passion and if I am free, you know absolutely where to find me on weekends – Woodbine Racetrack! Other than being an Advocate of Entertainment in Canada, spreading the pure joy which Horse Racing brings me is something I take great pride in. My Family and I don’t agree on everything, but we all agree on our love of the Sport.

Although I am not a big Bettor by any measure, I do find myself a vastly-improving Handicapper, over the years getting to know the physical cues to look for in picking a Winner. My minuscule bets this year helped pay for a flight to New York and sometimes it’s nice having a bit of lunch money! Although it isn’t always about a Horses’ appearance, seeing the Horses up-close certainly gives you an advantage in being able to scope-out behavioural signs, musculature, composition and coat sheen.

I’ve adored these Athletes from a v. young age and always will be an Advocate for the Sport. It has been an absolute joy getting to know many at the Track these past few years especially, everyone from the Horses, Fans, Gamblers, Owners, Jockeys, Trainers, Grooms, Walkers, Handicappers, the Press Box and the Operational Staff. Each person has their own individual story and reason for being drawn to the Races.

It was a remarkable year for Canadian Racing with several new memories created. None would shine as bright nor make us as proud as the great Canadian Filly, LEXIE LOU. The thunderous applause that filled the Grandstand Queen’s Plate Day as Racing Fans old and new saw her crush her male opponents, made my eyes well with tears and seeing her run her heart out a valiant second in the Hollywood Derby to this year’s Kentucky Derby Winner CALIFORNIA CHROME, reiterates how incredibly-proud I am to be a Canadian.

Here are just some of the several thousand Snaps I took in and around the Racetrack in 2014.
Sit back and enjoy this fast-paced jog down Memory Lane:

Also, those limited edition and fashionable Pattison Canadian International Scarves clearly were a cross-generational hit!

It’s not too late still to check-out the races at Woodbine Racetrack, which conclude this December!  Let’s make a day of it!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

In the ’90s, most Kids hung-out at the Mall or did House Parties on weekends.  My single delight every Saturday and Sunday was going to the Races with my Parents.  In that era, there was no Star brighter than CIGAR.  The two-time Horse of the Year had us Racing Fans at the edge of our seats with a 16-race win streak stretching from October 1994 through July 1996.

Even after the streak ended, CIGAR still was going strong before ending a remarkable Career at Woodbine Racetrack here in Toronto (like Secretariat in 1973) with a game third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  He retired just shy of the $10-million mark in earnings (an all-time record) winning everywhere from California to New York to Dubai.  Horses like CIGAR literally are one in a million and he not only was America’s Horse.  He was the Horse of Racing Fans around the World.

The Maryland-bred Colt owned by Allen Paulson, a prominent Aircraft Developer and Businessman, exceeded any expectations of him beginning his Career with an unsuspecting seventh place finish at Santa Anita Park in California.  After switching from grass to the dirt, things took-off rather well for him and what we had was a true Racing Icon – a Hall of Famer – and no doubt one of the greatest of all time.

The Canadian connection certainly was there too.  His paternal Great-Grandfather, Oshawa’s Windfields Farm-bred Norther Dancer, to this day is hailed for passing-on the genetic foundation of many of today’s brightest Racing Stars.  His maternal Grandfather Seattle Slew also is an American Racing Icon, winning the coveted Triple Crown in 1997.

I never had the honour of seeing the great CIGAR in-person, but admired him deeply from our living room TV Set.  He was a Star.  Despite not having much luck as a Stallion following his Career on-track – all 37 mares bred to him failed to become pregnant – he lived a peaceful life at the Kentucky Horse Park of Champions, passing away yesterday at the age of 24  following surgery for a neck problem he was experiencing.

Thank you CIGAR, for the memories.  Thank you for your Legacy.

Watch CIGAR‘s final race at Woodbine here:

Hey. I admit it. I had no idea what ALS was neither. As cliché as it is this late in the game, I decided to step-up to my terrible fear of being soaked. I can’t swim. I tried learning as a Kid but floundered and never picked it up again. A couple weeks ago my friends at Woodbine Racetrack kindly sent me a Press Release advising me I had been challenged by my friend, Assistant Trainer Jeff “Skippy” Bowen to partake in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

I quickly read-up on ALS and was heartbroken how debilitating the Disease is and remember being angered how little attention has been devoted to it. I sat on it for a bit. My number one fear is getting sick this close to TIFF ’14, only a week away. I live for the Festival and need to be healthy for it.  In the end, I did it.

Here is my ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Video:

With the popularity of the Viral Phenomenon known as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, ALS Canada already has exceeded its target of $5 million. This isn’t an excuse for us to stop.

Donate generously here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Invictus, Shanghai Noon, Skyfall, Footloose, The Tourist, Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, RoboCop, 21 Jump Street, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  If you’ve seen any of these Films, chances are, you know the work of Gary Barber.  The American Film Producer and CEO/Chairman of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer of South African origins, certainly is a respected entity also in the World of Horse Racing too with a number of top-tier Competitors in his Stable under the care of Trainer Mark Casse at Woodbine Racetack in Toronto.

Just last month, he won the most important race in the Country with his star filly, Lexie Lou whom he purchased only earlier this year for what seems like a bargain price of $400k.   Although Barber was unable to attend that Race –  the Queen’s Plate –  he certainly made up for it in a big way yesterday at Woodbine Racetrack.  Two of his Stable Stars, the vastly-improved Kaigun and Lexie Lou swept the two Feature Races of the day, the Grade II Play the King Stakes and also the Wonder Where Stakes, respectively.

We had the amazing opportunity of meeting Barber, who was in great spirits, stopping to pose for Photos on the Turf Course for Track Photographer Mike Burns, as Assistant Trainer Katherine Sullivan showed him around the facilities.  He even gave me a fist-bump after Lexie Lou‘s Victory, thanking me for my support!

We of course are a huge Fan of Barber and Lexie Lou!

See her latest win below:

Our Snap with Barber:

See our Snap (thanks Julie Wright  for this!) with Lexie Lou and Assistant Trainer David Adams:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group)

The Queen’s Plate always is a huge deal for me and I was thrilled this year once again to be a part of it all!  For those unaware, the 155th edition of North America’s most historic horse race was held at Woodbine Racetrack, drawing a huge crowd of Racing Fans and Fashionable types.  The celebrations wouldn’t quit with the Hats & Horseshoes Party going-on into the evening even after the races were over.  Live Music, Food Trucks, some high-profile Media Types like CTV‘s The Social Host Melissa Grelo and a partnership with Rogers Media, including Flare Magazine,  helped the Queen’s Plate reach a new audience, going even deeper into the Canadian consciousness.

Fans of my Blog sometimes are confused about my love for the Sport, but it truly runs deep in my blood.  I grew-up with Horse Racing and my Family is extremely passionate about it.  It  always will hold a dear place in my heart and I am happy to do anything I can to spread awareness to an important Industry which employs over 20k people in Ontario, generating millions in revenue for our province.  Hosting a group of new racing fans in the exclusive Flare Lounge yesterday and seeing their enthusiasm confirmed exactly what I’ve known all along. This is the greatest sport on Earth and all it takes is one afternoon at the races to see it.

It made me so happy to see the Grandstand and Walking Ring filled with people who normally don’t come out to the races, igniting Woodbine with smiles, hats and colourful fascinators.  The thunderous cheer from the Crowd as our hometown girl LEXIE LOU thundered past the boys in the stretch to win the $1-million race is something I will never forget.  The great sense of pride I felt for jockey Patrick Husbands – being just a few feet from him and Lexie Lou in the Winner’s Circle –  as he tore flowers from his victory flower blanket, throwing petals into the air like confetti, is a feeling so magical I wish I could make you experience it just once.

I love this Sport so much and hope it’ll be here to stay forever.

See some Snaps from the Festivities I took yesterday:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

I don’t believe it’s already time for the  QUEEN’S PLATE! More than ever, Horse Racing is becoming vogue once again with major Canadian Outlets like eTalk, Breakfast Television and Flare several more featuring Canadian Racing’s biggest day! And although we still have a little bit of time left to coordinate our outfits – pink certainly will be the colour of choice with attentions turned to Rethink Breast Cancer – now’s the time to be thinking about who we’ll pick to win the $1-million race! This, believe it or not, is the 155th edition of the race for three-year-old horses bred in Canada – the most historic in all of North America.

Although we briefed you on the Contenders a little while back, the Post Position Draw for the Race has been held at Woodbine Racetrack and here are the official Contenders including 14 Boys and 1 remarkable Girl.  Expect American-based/Canadian-born We Miss Artie to be a clear-cut favourite in the race.

#1 Cap in Hand  – ran third in a prep race June 15th at Woodbine.  His Owners Tucci Stables won the Queen’s Plate last year with Midnight Aria, who also happens to be by the same Father as Cap in Hand, Midnight Lute.  This one has banked $47k.  He’ll need  a huge improvement to be a factor.  Trainer Sid Attard will be up against his two sons, Jamie and Paul who each have entrants.

#2 Coltimus Prime – will be a hit among Transformers Fans and believe me, there are many of you out there!    He certainly is regarded as one with potential and on his best day is capable of a big effort.  He won his June 8th prep for this race at Woodbine, the same race which saw Athenian Guard unseat his rider.  He has earned $114k in seven starts for Cabernet Stable and will be near the front of the pace in the race. He also happens to be the only Social Media-savvy entrant who has his own Twitter account: @COLTIMUSPRIME!

#3 Athenian Guard – appeared to be on his way to victory in a prep race on June 8th at Woodbine, but right into the stretch he booted his rider, Justin Stein.  He has one win to his credit and $40k in the bank for A&L Racing Stables.

#4 Asserting Bear – has the benefit of a couple super-tough races in the U.S. earlier in his 2014 campaign and in March at Turfway Park, he was less than one length from beating the definitive Queen’s Plate favourite, We Miss Artie.  He did technically win his prep for this race, the Marine Stakes, but was disqualified and placed third for interference.  Model/Actress/Jockey Chantal Sutherland-Kruse  will be aboard him for popular Bear Stables.  The gutsy colt has earned $283k thus far in his ten races to date.

#5 Man o’ Bear – is a stablemate of Asserting Bear and although he hasn’t quite shown the same ability as that one, he certainly is no slacker.  He ran third in Canada’s top race for two-year-olds last fall, the Coronation Futurity. More recently, he ran fifth to We Miss Artie in the Plate Trial and might’ve needed that one start to get going.  Shoe-obsessed Trainer Reade Baker still stands by his belief that Man o’Bear is the stronger of the Duo.

#6 We Miss Artie – appears on paper to be heads and shoulders above the competition and is a deserving race favourite.  The son of Artie Schiler, owned by Americans Ken & Sarah Ramsey won the Plate Trial effortlessly on June 15th at Woodbine, his first race ever on Canadian soil after a successful stint in the U.S.   He placed tenth in the Kentucky Derby this May, which by no means is a disgrace, considering the caliber of competition he was facing.  Top American rider Javier Castellano returns to Woodbine for the call.  In ten starts, he has grossed over $691k in earnings.  You certainly can bet on him, but don’t expect a big pay-off. He is listed at 8-5 odds, which is $5.20 back on a $2 investment.

#7 Majestic Sunset – has yet to win his first race, but he is great about bringing home paycheques for his owner, oil tycoon John C. Oxley. The handsome son of Artie Schiller, also the father of race favourite We Miss Artie, is known for having uniquely one blue and one brown eye.  He ran second to We Miss Artie recently in the Plate Trial, by far his best performance yet.  Could the earner of $111k  be saving that big win for the big day?

#8 Lions Bay – appears to be doing everything right and it is just a matter of how good and ready he really is.  In two 2014 starts, he has won both times with something left in the tank.  This will be the toughest test for the $60k-earning colt owned by the Earle family.  Young Trainer Jamie Attard also makes his first appearance in the Queen’s Plate.

#9 Heart to Heart – kicked-off his year in a big way at Keeneland this March winning dominantly, but returned home to Woodbine in the Marine Stakes finishing last.  It is necessary to clarify however, that only one horse length separated the entire field in that competitive  race and that being said, he could be in the thick of it for a piece of the prize.  He has made $111k in seven starts for owner Terry Hamilton.

#10 Matador – also is owned by John C. Oxley and has shown flashes of brilliance on his best day, hence it is just a matter of whether or not he will be on-point Queen’s Plate Day.  He won a prep race easily on May 28th at Woodbine against much easier but certainly will benefit from some tough races earlier in 2014 in the U.S. where he wasn’t much of a factor. I’ve said it once and will say it again – the earner of $260k  is a better horse on the grass.  Unfortunately though, the Queen’s Plate isn’t a grass race.  American Jockey Julien Leparoux will be flying-in for the assignment and he is listed as the third choice at 8-1 odds, which is $18 back on a $2 bet.

#11 One Destiny – is an improving type, but will need to progress leaps and bounds in-time for the weekend.  He ran third in his only start this season at Woodbine June 8th to Coltimus Prime.  Owner/Trainer Alec Fehr and Winston Penny are the connections behind this $34k winner.  He is expected to be close to the pace.

#12 Tower of Texas – has never missed  a cheque for his owners Scott Dilworth and Thomas Van Meter II, banking $108k in eight starts.  It’s taken a bit of time for the expensive purchase (he was bought for $200k) to figure things out, but he’s learning quickly and in the Plate Trial he tried rather hard, placing third ultimately to We Miss Artie. Hall of Fame Inductee Roger Attfield trains (he has won the race eight times!) and New York-based John Velazquez, who certainly knows Woodbine well, flies-in for the task.

#13 Niigon Express – certainly is talented.  The only question is whether or not he is talented enough to win the Queen’s Plate.  He has run two solid races at Woodbine this spring, placing first and then second most recently on June 15th to promising Freitag, who is by-passing the Queen’s Plate.  Owner Chiefswood Stable won this race in 2004 with his father, Niigon who also drew number #13 the year he won. Young Trainer Paul Attard will be in the Queen’s Plate the first time.  His Father Sid and Brother Jamie also have entries in the race.

#14 Lexie Lou  – the only filly in the race will be facing boys for the first time.  She is a model of consistency and more often than not runs with heart.  She recently won the prestigious $500k Woodbine Oaks, regarded as the top race for three-year-old fillies in Canada.  Film-producing giant Gary Barber (The Hobbit) purchased her for an undisclosed large sum earlier this year and he looks quickly to make a return on his investment.  Note that she ran a full second faster than race favourite We Miss Artie on June 15th.  She has earned over $600k in eleven starts and eventually will be racing on the grass surface.  Expect her mid-pack in the race early. She is listed at 4-1 odds, making her the second choice which is a $10 payout on a $2 bet.

#15 Ami’s Holiday – almost won his prep race, the $125k Marine Stakes on May 25th at Woodbine, finishing third  narrowly to Asserting Bear.  The Stewards reviewed the race and found that he had been interfered with in the stretch and was awarded subsequently second place. He has won over $214k for Owner Ivan Dalos.

See Mr. Will‘s Snaps of the official 2014 QUEEN’S PLATE Contenders:

We did a quick survey on our Facebook Fan Page to see which Horse Wongsters think will win the #QP14 and although it was a close one, you guys chose….

 ASSERTING BEAR!!! 

Never discount LEXIE LOU though, as she was a close second!

If you’re coming down to the races for the first time this Sunday, July 6, 2014, dress to impress and come say “hi” as we’ll be at the Hats & Horseshoes Party by the Walking Ring starting at 12:00 PM!   It is going to be an amazing afternoon full of races starting at 1:00 PM and your first bet is on Woodbine!  See a Betting Ambassador for details.  See you there!

If you can’t make it out to #QP14, tune-in from home on TSN in HD between 4:30 – 6:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Now in its 155th year, North America’s most historic Horse Race The Queen’s Plate, will be taking place sooner thank you think at Woodbine Racetrack!

Bringing together Canada’s finest three-year-old Horses, the prestigious $1-million Race in previous years has brought-out The Royals including Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II!

Mark your Calendars Toronto and bring-on your fanciest hat as the Hats & Horseshoes Party takes place near Woodbine Racetrack’s scenic Walking Ring once again this year. Not only can you be a part of history, but you also can be part of the Party, testing your luck on an exciting afternoon Card of Races Sunday, July 5, 2014!

There will be a variety of Live Entertainment and scintillating Food Trucks on-hand also to make the Day extra amazing!

Be a part of the fun by pre-ordering your Tickets here beginning Thursday, May 1, 2014. Tickets almost always sell-out quickly!

I’ll definitely be there this year, so I’ll see you there, Wongsters and some of you may have the chance to be a part of my ultra-exclusive FLARE Lounge Party!

If you’ve never been to the Races, this is the year to experience breathtaking Woodbine Racetrack for once and for all!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment)