After a surprising announcement last November by Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson, we at long last get to see the fruits of both daring and precise planning. Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto today ran a first-of-its-kind EuroTurf Trial today before a sizable crowd of curious Horsepeople, Fans and Media mid-morning.
To those who don’t follow Horse Racing, thoroughbred races in North America traditionally are run counter-clockwise, unlike European, Australian and Asian racing. To change it up a bit and invigorate a bit of intrigue in the Sport of Kings, Woodbine this Summer will host a series of approximately 40 races on its lush E.P. Taylor turf course in the opposite direction. The first clockwise turf race as part of the EuroTurf series, is to take place Friday, June 10th.
After cautious maintenance over the winter, the turf course, among the top of its class in North America, is ready for racing with the season’s first official turf race (non-clockwise) carded for this Wednesday, May 18, 2016.
See today’s Trial race, won by Emma-Jayne Wilson aboard Hall of Famer Roger Attfield trainee INTERNAL BOURBON:
Post-race, Wilson compared her experience riding in Hong Kong to EuroTurf. See some Clips below:
See some Snaps from earlier today at the EuroTurf Preview:
Emma-Jayne Wilson
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment)
In addition to being the event of the summer every year in Toronto, the 157th Queen’s Plate this July at Woodbine Racetrack will feature a new musical twist! North America’s most historic horse race is centered around a day of bold fashion, cocktails, legacy, food, betting and fun. In the coming weeks we’ll be highlighting the trail to the $1-million Queen’s Plate as we anxiously await who will be crowned this year’s Queen’s Plate champion!
Set to take three stages at the scenic venue are a variety of Canadian Indie musical acts. Announced are Emerson Street Rhythm Band, Andrew Hyatt, The Pick Brothers Band and River Town Saints. Three headliners also just have been unveiled including Hedley, Matthew Good and The Strumbellas! For now, general grandstand tickets are available starting at only $15.
Get Social. “Like” the official Queen’s Plate Facebook Page here. Join the convo by using the Hashtag #QP16!
Details on the Queen’s Plate and how you can get tickets here.
What better way to spend Canada Day weekend?
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
A lot happens in a month and since our last installment of PRINCESS DIARIES, our girl A PIC BY MRWILL (aka “Princess“) has continued to amaze us! She keeps-up with her weekly workout regimen under jockey Sheena Ryan at Woodbine like a true professional. Her Owner/Trainer John Ross and Cathy Wong, along with the team, are doing an amazing job getting her in top shape for her forthcoming first race.
Princess just keeps growing and growing and growing. I quite literally have to reach-up for those kisses now and never have I felt shorter!
Can we brag for a moment that she along with her two stablemates Saturday Dancer and Raglan Road – also just babies – shared the fastest workout of the day last Wednesday for three furlongs? We were floored! In fact, we want to frame this! I’d equate the feeling to a parent seeing straight As on their child’s Report Card. Yeah, I know it’s easy to get carried away as we know workouts many a time can be a false-positive to how a horse performs on race day, but we just can’t mask our excitement!
Although I had my doubts that Princess was sold on me, we finally had that one bonding moment. She is quite the carrot connoisseur – baby carrots to be exact. Peppermints? Meh. Please don’t tell anyone she ate a whole small bag of mini carrots by herself last week!!! We like to play our own little game where I tickle her lips, which really gets her going! After a bit of playtime, it was time to go and I got my confirmation that our love was mutual when she tried picking the lock on her stall when I told her ‘goodbye’. I turned into a pile of mush, all verklempt leaving the barn, pretending to yawn so that those tears wouldn’t be so obvious to passersby.
Princess‘ lip is a bit sore right now, so we didn’t play our game this weekend as she just got her official lip tattoo and according to Cathy, this now makes her a legit racehorse!
Those of us who follow Woodbine on Social Media know and love our feline friend Gator Kitten (@gatorkitten), whose sassy Tweets are voiced by his mom (and our dear friend) Sarah Ritchie. She is the assistant to three-time champion trainer Mark Frostad. After a winter in Florida, we were thrilled to see Gator and his mom on the backstretch again and we even threw a little party to celebrate Gator‘s homecoming and Princess‘ bullet workout! We coined it #GATORPRINCESSDAY and it was amazing to see Princess so smitten with the kitten.
The wonderful day was capped-off with her stablemate R U Watchingbud‘s huge score in the $125k New Providence Stakes at large odds under #emmazing Emma-Jayne Wilson! One day prior, Brooklynsway, who used to occupy Princess‘ stall, ran huge to win the Grade III Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland against some top U.S. fillies! Never underestimate a John Ross trainee.
There is a new Team Ross member here for the summer, a student named Emily (below, in purple), who is taking great care of Princess. She got a nice trim on the bangs from Emily, plus some braids, giving her that Cleopatra look. Love it!
See our Princess Video Diary for April 2016:
Princess Moments.
#GATORPRINCESSDAY
Princess + I support ONE LAST RACE, for the dignified retirement of racehorses. Donate here. Many celebrity racehorses like Lady Eli (whom we’re meeting next week!) and California Chrome also have joined the cause! Why don’t you?
Princess + Anna who was visiting from Lexington, Kentucky. She handles champion and soon-to-be millionairess Leigh Court for trainer Michael Stidham! We can only dream one day Princess will be anywhere near Leigh‘s level!
Princess (turquoise, under Sheena Ryan) and stablemate Saturday Dancer at work.
If you aren’t following Princess on Social Media yet, you may do so here:
A PIC BY MRWILL on Twitter
A PIC BY MRWILL on Instagram
See you back in May, PICsies!
Will you be there to cheer Princess on at Woodbine when she debuts later this year?
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
The 41st annual Sovereign Awards took place in Toronto tonight at Woodbine Racetrack, honouring champions in Canadian Horse Racing for the year 2015. This year’s theme was Hollywood, the Red Carpet complete with its own Hollywood sign, movie theme songs introducing winners and giant Oscar statues to greet guests.
Taking Horse of the Year honours this year was three-time honouree this evening Catch a Glimpse, who took the important Grade II Natalma Stakes last fall before going on winning the Grade I $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland. The Mark Casse trainee owned by Michael James Ambler, Gary Barber and Windways Farm, also nabbed Outstanding Turf Female and Two Year Old Filly. It is a rarity that a horse as young as she wins Horse of the Year honours, making her accomplishment that much more impressive. Mark Casse himself would go on to win Outstanding Trainer a jaw-dropping eighth time, his daughter Camille accepting for him.
Eurico Da Silva won his third Outstanding Jockey title, noticeably emotional when watching a tribute for his late fan Alexandrea Tersigni, to whom he dedicated his 2015 season.
Frank Stronach and his Adena Springs also were notable winners taking Outstanding Breeder – they are based in Aurora, Ontario. Stronach Stables’ Queen’s Plate champion Shaman Ghost was honoured Outstanding Three Year Old Male.
Bear Stables’ Academic proved her popularity through Ontario and Western Canada, besting the boys in the Canadian Derby in addition to the prestigious Woodbine Oaks last year en route to a victory in the Outstanding Three Year Old Filly voting.
The ill-fated Miss Mischief shipped in from the U.S. last season to a couple significant stake wins including the Grade II Bessarabian Stakes. She won both Outstanding Older Female and Female Sprinter. The speedy filly had passed away over the winter after sustaining an injury.
Sam-Son Farm would go on to win Outstanding Owner, with Rick Balaz accepting. He acknowledged his children Mike and Lisa Balaz as being the future of the legacied stable, thanking the large team who help with operations.
Other major winners tonight included Interpol for Outstanding Turf Male, Are You Kidding Me for Outstanding Older Horse and Riker for Outstanding Two Year Old Male.
For a complete list of winners, click here.
See our Snap Reel from the festivities tonight!
Some Snaps from the night:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
After last month’s post about meeting the filly named after myself, A PIC BY MRWILL (Princess), her owners John Ross, Cathy Wong and I are touched by the outpour of support we’ve received over Social Media! Today we’re pleased to bring you a PPR (Princess Progress Report)!
Over the span of the past month, Princess has continued to grow rather quickly. In fact, upon arriving at her stall today I barely even recognized her with her winter coat growing out, in addition to her growth spurt. I literally asked Cathy, “Who is this??”. After moving-in a little closer, I realized yes, I was indeed in the presence of the same sweet filly as last time. She continues to be incredibly-affectionate and welcoming to people.
I brought by my friend Lauren, whom I know from the Film world, and like myself, she absolutely adores horses having grown-up around them. At one point she was serious about a career in showjumping and dressage. Princess was quick to welcome Lauren with kisses. It was genuinely affecting!
She also has developed quite the appetite for miniature carrots after trying them for the first time last month, making a bit of a mess of it. Peppermints though, she’s definitely still learning about. You can see the long, pensive gaze on her face as she mentally processes that tingly, sweet sensation on her tongue and its crunch. We even brought doughnuts today too and jockey Katy Morrison, who has been a part of Princess‘ journey over the past year, for fun fed her a piece of a Tim Hortons doughnut. Although it looked like she was about to enjoy it like a patriotic Canadian girl, she’d chew it and spit it back out. Hilarious.
Princess continues to adore her Teddy and we brought it over for her to play with today. She’d fling it about, it dangling for dear life on its arm, plopping onto her bedding, followed by a plea for help in her eyes. She’d go on to do this over and over a few times in a cyclical motion. It’s so fascinating seeing her learn about her world with inquisitive child-like curiosity. And also she has this cute little lip quiver when she’s inspecting people. Adorable.
Although we just missed it, Princess posted her second workout today, her first time trying out Woodbine‘s new Tapeta surface. Sovereign Award-winning jockey Sheena Ryan piloted the workout today and we learned through her new agent Ryan Deyotte (below, Princess + Sheena on far left) that Sheena was thrilled with Princess’ breeze, clocking-in at 25 seconds flat for two furlongs (402 metres). With little urging, she showed a great willingness to go and we couldn’t be more pleased. Even as a baby, her timing bested some horses with far more experience. Her first timed workout a week ago clocked-in at 24.8 seconds on the Dirt Training Track.
Although premature, the barn already is comparing Princess to prior greats like Horse of the Year Lexie Lou! I am hearing that her look and temperament are very similar to Lexie, although Princess has a calmer demeanour. How exciting is it to hear that?
She’s due for a clipping of her winter coat tomorrow, so we’re waiting anxiously to see her new spring look!
And in the meantime, we hope her Dad (John Ross) gets well soon!
See some Snaps of Princess from earlier today:
Also, see Princess‘ buddies Yoda Man (Ricky Browne riding) + Smart Catomine (Katy Morrison riding) train together on the new Tapeta surface:
See a Video of Princess earlier today:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Ryan Deyotte)
As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted a horse. As many of you know, my childhood was anything but ordinary. While most kids hung-out at the mall, played video games or road hockey on weekends, I spent my youth at the races with my parents. I’d doodle fantasy stables of horses on scrap paper, complete with imagined offspring of hypothetical matings of my favourites. I came home smelling of the ink on racing programs and forms, cigarette smoke and horses.
You can imagine the shock my Keyboarding teacher experienced when he perused my 5″ floppy disk looking to mark an assignment he gave us, instead finding a Microsoft Word document compiling stakes winners at Woodbine. I failed Keyboarding eventually, quite possibly the easiest course in High School. What I did succeed in was finding a life-long passion that would follow me into adulthood – even after a period where I followed Horse Racing from a distance during my University years.
I had Mr. Van Ryn for Grade 12 Marketing once again and as much as he had a negative impression of me, I proved him wrong, stepping up my scholastic game with a 95% grade. He still didn’t grant me the Marketing Award upon graduation despite having the top mark in the class. Haters gonna hate. Enjoy your trophy, Renee Yeung.
These past few years have been a bit of a whirlwind ride. Never in a million years as a kid who cheered from the grandstand at Woodbine Racetrack, would I have guessed that I’d ever have a place in the Horse Racing community locally. The issue of the industry being tasked with making itself sustainable very much is in public thought throughout the province.
In many ways, the sport is like a childhood friend to me. A friend who needs a bit of help and support right now. How I know that this friendship is a lasting one is that I am happy to do what I can for it without any sense of hesitation or seeking of credit. I am grateful for the racing community and their warm embrace. There isn’t a day that I visit Woodbine and don’t get a friendly smile or a “Hi, Mr. Will!“.
On October 9th last year, I woke up to a text message from Keith McCalmont, a dear friend who has done so much of the sport from the Media offices of Woodbine and also under his online identity, Triple Dead Heat. This text though was odd and maybe even foreshadowing.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on
Sure enough I played the 649, needless to say without much success. But this is where the story takes a bit of a turn. A few weeks later I received a message from Cathy Wong (no relation) partner of veteran Owner/Trainer John Ross. I have been following Ross’ career for several years and anyone who follows the sport knows that he has an eye for talent. Top caliber athletes like Brooklynsway, King Corrie, Go Greeley and eventual Horse of the Year Lexie Lou all at one point in their successful careers were under his tutelage.
“I hope you don’t mind”, the message said, attached with it a name registration certificate for a filly they had bought at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sale in September. I glanced over at the name, which read A PIC BY MRWILL. Did I mind? DID I MIND?!??!
Quite literally I sat in front of my phone, jaw dropped and unsure who to express my excitement to. I told my unphased Mom and all she cared about was what it would cost. Asian parents. My friends enjoy Woodbine when I bring them, but how many of them got how big a deal this was?
What makes this all the more cosmic is that Keith‘s dream-text came to me on October 9th – the exact same day A PIC BY MRWILL was registered. How is this even possible?
As often is the case, I jinx myself by being overly-passionate about things. I was dying to meet this filly and in my head I conjured-up how our first meeting would go. Would she love me back? Would she bite me (she would! see video below!)? What if she wanted nothing to do with me? I decided to let things flow naturally, remaining non-intrusive. Cathy would keep me posted with tidbits over Facebook, which I would cherish and savour quietly. We nicknamed her Princess, which I was painfully eager to use on her. “Come, Princess!! Another miniature carrot Princess?!”.
The backstretch has opened once again for training at Woodbine, where A PIC BY MRWILL will be based. Although trucks could be seen pulling-in and unloading horses, it generally still is rather sparse and quiet back there.
I made it a mission to see my girl at long last in a hectic week leading-up to my Hollywood visit Thursday. Ford Canada as always was generous and supportive, giving me a chance to test drive the Ford Escape. There literally is no other way I would have been able to make the early Sunday commute without the Escape.
I pulled-out all the stops. I had Scotch Mints, Carrots (thanks Julie!) and a Teddy Bear – all fail-proof ways to make a horse warm-up to you. I had gotten there just as A PIC BY MRWILL was set to do her first ever gallop on Woodbine‘s Training Track after vanning-in only yesterday morning.
Like a hot mess, I walked through the John Ross barn pacing from stall to stall. “Is this her?… Is this her? … Is this her?”, I’d ask as I passed each one. After about five failed guesses, I finally landed on the correct one. Princess was busy getting tacked-up, her hind end in plain view. The wait to see her was becoming a bit agonizing. Moments later I saw Ricky, one of John‘s long-time assistants, come out with her. Princess stopped quickly and I gave her a welcome hug, which thankfully was returned with a nudge back. Such relief.
Sporting a bit of a thick winter coat, there was no denying her beauty. Her father is promising Ontario sire Kentucky Bear, once a Kentucky Derby contender. Her mom Princess G is a half-sister to Canadian champ Bear Now. She also is related to Lexie Lou through her maternal side via popular stallion In Excess. Although not a flashy seven-figure-worth breeding, there is plenty of depth. Despite being only two (a baby still by racing standards), her conformation was outstanding. Her legs give every indication she will grow to be rather tall and I could tell from her hind end she is strong. One thing I noticed on Princess was a couple minor scars, but I didn’t think much of it.
“I have something to tell you, but don’t know if I should”, Cathy told me. My curiosity was piqued, but the timing didn’t seem right at that moment to probe. Was she being sold? What could it have been?
Moments later John walked alongside me, revealing a bit of heartbreaking news about Princess. I learned that after a prolonged fight with a serious sinus infection this winter, requiring multiple emergency visits to the equine hospital, we could well have lost her. My heart broke as I learned about her being connected to an IV, drainage pipes pierced right through her. How is it possible a horse this young already has had to endure this much suffering?
What makes this story even more remarkable is that back in 2006 I also underwent a major health struggle, battling Thyroid Cancer. This too saw me sporting a drainage pipe through my neck and although with Princess, we’ve put the worst parts behind us, together we are bonded not only in name, but also the same battle scars.
John tells me, “I see something in her and as corny as it sounds, seeing how she connected with you for the first time today confirms that”. He never stopped believing in Princess when the situation could have gone awry and this together with her sheer determination to survive and the medical expertise of Milton Equine Hospital, already has Princess winning a major victory even before having won a race.
Knowing this, seeing A PIC BY MRWILL surge to the lead under exercise rider Katy Morrison (who calls her “A filly named Willy“) in her gallop this morning – never letting her workmate pass her – only punctuated the flurry of emotions going through me.
Without further a do, I introduce you to A PIC BY MRWILL.
Katy Morrison + A Pic By MrWill
John Ross, A Pic By MrWill + Cathy Wong
A Pic By MrWill + Ricky
A Pic By MrWill (feeding time!)
A Pic by MrWill + Mr. Will
A wink from Princess!
See A PIC BY MRWILL in video:
Did you know Princess also has a Twitter account? Follow her here.
The 2016 Racing Season begins at Woodbine Racetrack Saturday, April 9, 2016.
Will you be making it out to cheer for Princess when she debuts later this year?
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video credit: Julie Wright/Mr. Will Wong)
2018. Mark your calendars, everyone! In addition to being a major attraction as a casino and host to world-class Horse Racing, plans were announced today regarding Woodbine Racetrack‘s long-awaited transformation! With 275-hectare parcels of land available, we learned today that Woodbine will be the new home to a 165,00 square foot, 5,000 seat concert venue. A memorandum of understanding was just signed between Woodbine Entertainment Group and Trinity Development Group. That’s right – more live acts coming into the City and less dreadful commutes way, way, way out of the Greater Toronto Area!
Our Friend Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment Group reveals also that in the long-term, a movie theatre, shops and restaurants are in development, while eventually homes, offices and post-secondary school satellite buildings also could be a reality. We’re terribly excited about this. Inasmuch as we love Woodbine, having grown-up there, a rejuvenation to draw people from our generation out is long overdue.
Make no mistake though, Woodbine still very much is a gaming facility with fortunes to be won. In addition to over 2,500 slot machines ranging from 1¢ to $5, more electronic games are expected also.
BBB Architects will be overseeing this transformation and their previous projects are of a huge magnitude, including Madison Square Garden in New York and the L.A. Forum in Los Angeles. We’re talking WORLD. CLASS.
Jim sent me a note today telling me, “Thought you’d like our Music announcement today. Kind of a Daily Double for you!”. Little does he know this is actually a Superfecta for me! Shopping. Dining. Movies. Music and Horses? I might as well just live there basically. Jim I know really loved Lady Gaga‘s David Bowie Tribute at The Grammys last night, so I grilled him if we can expect to see her out at Woodbine in 2018? “Hopefully before she turns 60!”, he jokes. At least we know he’s working on it!
What a year it’s been! The Racing Season at Woodbine ended last weekend and although it’s only been a week, I do miss it! It brings be so many mixed emotions to see so many of our human and equine friends in the industry ship south to the warmer weathers of Kentucky and Florida this winter, but I know they’re all just a Facebook post away and I can keep a tab on the horses like they are my children.
Over the course of the year I have taken well over 25k photos. Hence, to narrow them down to 400 even was a great feat on my part. I take so much pride in every photo I take, discarding one literally is like getting rid of a memory for me and I have a hard time letting go.
Bit by bit since last Saturday, I’d paste together pieces in what little spare time I had to compile my annual 2015 Year in Horses Video. These Snaps span from April through November, my travels taking me to Fort Erie, New Jersey and Lexington. It was an historic year and no racing fan can deny the sheer delight of witnessing a Triple Crown champion in American Pharoah. The three-year-old colt not only would become the first horse since 1978 to accomplish the illusive feat, but he’d also go on to be the first ever to sweep a Grand Slam (Triple Crown + Breeders’ Cup Classic) en route to capping his career off with $8.6 million in earnings, making him a likely Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
Although racing certainly was exciting south of the border, we had plenty to be proud of in Canada with a competitive three-year-old division which saw three separate horses win each leg of our own Triple Crown: Shaman Ghost, Breaking Lucky and Danish Dynaformer respectively. A Woodbine-based filly named Academic however would travel out west and accomplish some great feats including the Canadian Derby, which could definitely sway voters in Horse of the Year voting in her favour.
To me, the strongest performances came in the two-year-old divisions. For the first time ever a Woodbine-based filly would go south to win the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in Catch a Glimpse. Caren also has been a monster, showing great versatility no matter short nor far including a win in the country’s most important race for fillies in her division, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes. Riker was undefeated in Canada before performing respectably in the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, under Jesse Campbell, who also pilots Caren. And Conquest Enforcer dropped the jaws of everyone including Woodbine‘s CEO, Jim Lawson, with a powerful display in the $250k Cup and Saucer at Woodbine, leaving us wanting more. Meanwhile Shakhimat (translation: “check mate”) gave us every reason to believe he well could be the favourite in next year’s Queen’s Plate, to be held Sunday, July 3, 2016. He crushed a talented field in the $250k Coronation Futurity last month.
Enough words, more pictures. Enjoy.
Mr. Will
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It’s been absolutely a stellar 2015 racing season at Woodbine Racetrack and even though we’ve still got a month to go before the curtain drops for the Thoroughbreds, both the 24-hour Casino and Standardbreds still are going into the New Year! Details and schedule here!
We’ve been there every step of the way this racing season. The build-up to the Woodbine Oaks, won by likely champion three-year-old filly Academic. We were there for the thrill and fashion of North America’s most historic race, the Queen’s Plate, won by Shaman Ghost. We ventured even to Fort Erie in our first visit there ever for the Prince of Wales Stakes, upset by Breaking Lucky. Although there was no Triple Crown winner in Canada this year, we still witnessed the third leg being won decisively on the grass by Danish Dynaformer. Despite the TIFF ’15 madness, we would not miss seeing Irish-invader Mondialiste get it done in the Woodbine Mile. And who could forget Cannock Chase‘s thrilling stretch run to take the Pattison Canadian International? We even revisited Standardbred Racing as Woodbine hosted the 2015 Breeders Crown on a thrilling night of championship races!
2015 has been a highly-competitive year in all respective divisions and it truly is one of the most wide-open matches for thoroughbred Horse of the Year in recent memory. This however is a true testament to the quality of horses racing at Woodbine and that there’s a slice of the pie for everyone.
Academic winning the $500k Woodbine Oaks under Justin Stein
With Woodbine Oaks Winner, #Academic. I always root for the filly. Thanks @reddogcw for this pic. #QueensPlate #QP15 #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Privileged to get the best seats in the house at @woodbineracing. Don’t believe another #QueensPlate has come and gone so quickly. Seen here is #FrankStronach leading #ShamanGhost into the Winner’s Circle as #RafaelHernandez throws them flower petals into the air, from the Winner’s blanket. I love this Sport so much and it always will be a part of me. #QP15 #QueensPlate #HorseRacing #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Mr. Will + Shaman Ghost
Congrats to #BreakingLucky, Gunpowder Farms, Team Reade Baker and Jimmy McAleney on their stunning upset in #Wales80 at @FortErieRacing, the 2nd jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown! #HorseRacing #FortErie #GetintheGame #Horse #Jockey #Racetrack #PrinceofWales #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Such a joyous day #OfftotheRaces celebrating the $500k #BreedersStakes, won by a deserving #DANISHDYNAFORMER, #PatrickHusbands and our friends at Team #RogerAttfield. They had ice buckets and tons of cool water ready for him in this scorching heat! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With adorable Danish Dynaformer and his favourite teddy
I loved spending Breeders’ Stakes day with one of my favourite Readers @CupcakeDawnie whom true to her name brought me some amazing homemade cupcakes!
Good afternoon from the brilliantly-fast #Ageless and I! She’s up later today in the Royal North! #BetWoodbine #Horse #Mare #Filly #Thoroughbred #Woodbine #Racetrack #GetintheGame #Racetrack A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Brooklynsway is one of my favourite girls on the track and she always gives it her all on her best day. So overjoyed getting to meet her and give her some Scotch Mints. I don’t bet big, but she was responsible for a couple of my biggest wins in 2015!
Although that huge 2015 comeback never happened for our heroine and 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou, we’re glad she’s safe and sound at the farm. Was a highlight of our year getting a kiss from her.
So proud of my friends at Team Malcolm Pierce on their huge win with #DontLeaveMe aka “Mimi” today in the Ontario Colleen Stakes at @woodbineracing. An honour getting to celebrate with THE lovely and vivacious #JosephineAbercrombie, Mimi’s owner, who flew in for the occasion! Some extra Royal Gala Apples for Mimi tomorrow! #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #OfftotheRaces #Woodbine #Filly #HorseRacing #Abercrombie #nikond3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Although he had scratched from the $1-million Woodbine Mile, I got to catch-up quickly with hometown hero Grand Arch who soon after would go on to win the $1-million Shadwell Mile at Keeneland! He is amazing and rather handsome, wouldn’t you agree?
Billy getting jockey lessons from Uncle Patrick. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
That time we met miniature pony, Pepper… it was the greatest!
Our little friend Gator is a Florida rescue cat adopted by our friend Sarah Ritchie, an assistant to Trainer Mark Frostad. He quickly has made a name on the backstretch at Woodbine and even has his own Twitter account: @gatorkitten.
Celebrating #InternationalCatDay with @GatorKitten! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
No big deal. Just an #AmericanPharoah Selfie on #Haskell2015 Day! A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Presenting the trophy to the winners of the Grade II Nijinsky Stakes, Hall of Famer #RogerAttfield + jockey #AlanGarcia for #AreYouKiddingMe! Phenomenal race! (Photo credit: @kaytrd for @woodbineracing) #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #Woodbine #Racetrack #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #Horse #Thoroughbred A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
It’s not every day we get to see a Breeders’ Cup champion at Woodbine. Even though Bobby’s Kitten had an off-day in the Play the King Stakes, we’re still thrilled we got to see him up-close.
With Irish-bred $1-million Woodbine Mile winner Mondialiste and rider Fergal Lynch
Thrilling action at @woodbineracing in the #WOMile! Congrats to the connections of MONDIALISTE! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WoodbineMile #FergalLynch #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
This one Bartender at Woodbine knows me too well… It was a dream having this many Maraschino Cherries in my Singapore Sling! Almost died of deliciousness…
2013 Canadian Horse of the Year Up with the Birds being his lovable self before his valiant first runner-up finish in the $1-million Pattison Canadian International
2013 Horse of the Year Up With the Birds on his chances in today’s #WOIntl! #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #BetWoodbine A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Smashing performance by CURVY under Ryan Moore to win the $500k EP Taylor Stakes! #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WOIntl #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Phenomenal day at the #WOIntl. A Canuck didn’t win, but a ‘Cannock’ did! Congrats to CANNOCK CHASE who won valiantly under Ryan Moore. So proud of our UP WITH THE BIRDS who ran a phenomenal second, representing Canada so well! #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #BetWoodbine #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With five-time winning driver on 2015 Breeders Crown night, Dave Miller!
#OfftotheRaces! This literally is how dirty they get in #HarnessRacing! Major fun tonight at #Crown15! Here I am with five-time winning driver tonight #DaveMiller. KING. #BreedersCrown A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
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 Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
In addition to being a huge supporter of the sport, we are equally concerned with horses going to loving homes after their time on the track. Organizations like LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society aim to do just that and we are always sure to give a bit of money every year and donate some auction items. It was so much fun attending their annual Fundraiser this year and seeing jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson as Wonder Woman. Trainer Mark Frostad as Elvis …we have no words!!
Although we’re approaching the end, you still can Tweet a Selfie of yourself at Woodbine with the hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES for a chance to win $1k! It’s that easy!
Remember to follow also via @woodbineracing on Twitter.
Don’t forget, the Breeders’ Cup, Horse Racing’s championship days take place this Friday and Saturday and you can watch the races on NBC! Check local listings! We’ll be there at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky!
We’ll definitely be seeing you again in 2016!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
The 78th running of the Pattison Canadian International took place at Woodbine yesterday and despite the chill, fans came out in crowds to see the thoroughbred season’s final marquee race of the 2015 racing season at the historic racetrack! Scarves and free bets were given away to all who registered, while the third floor saw a variety of international flavours being served for one day only. And for the first time ever, a chance to win $1-million was offered to fans with Woodbine‘s Million Dollar Megapick. At no cost at all, fans were invited to pick the exact order of finish in both the Pattison Canadian International and E.P. Taylor Stakes to win the jackpot!
Winning the $1-million-dollar headliner was American-bred and British-based CANNOCK CHASE, a four-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid owned by Rabbah Bloodstock and trained by industry icon Sir Michael R. Stoute. Under top rider Ryan Moore, he closed late down the stretch on Woodbine‘s lush turf course to win by 1 1/2 lengths after a bit of a slow start. Finishing second was Canada’s pride and joy UP WITH THE BIRDS, who in 2013 was crowned the nation’s Horse of the Year for Sam-Son Farm. American rider John Velazquez set the hearts of local fans a flutter as the colt surged to the lead deep in the stretch, only to be passed late. Handled by renowned trainer Graham Motion, he now is based in the U.S., although his next steps are still being discussed. Third was English-based SHEIKHZAYEDROAD who shipped to Woodbine last year to take the Northern Dancer Stakes, reuniting with jockey Martin Lane. The winner paid $7.50 to a $2 investment and the final time 1 1/2 mile event was completed in a time of 2:29.2, about four seconds off the course record.
See the race:
Fans were treated to an amazing card of racing earlier filled with international talent, highlighted also by the $500k E.P. Taylor Stakes, restricted to fillies and mares. The blue-blooded CURVY was thrust into contention late in the 1 1/8 mile race on the turf course under Ryan Moore, winning for trainer David Wachman and owners Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith. The daughter of Galileo was the race favourite and paid $6.90 to a $2 bet.
American shipper BYE BYE BERNIE under Rafael Hernandez took the $300k Grade II Nearctic Stakes, a competitive turf sprint, while another returning invader from south of the border, CACTUS KRIS, took the $150k Ontario Fashion Stakes with Huber Villa-Gomez aboard.
See some photos from the day from our Nikon D3300 lens:
CANNOCK CHASE wins the $1-million PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL
Smashing performance by CURVY under Ryan Moore to win the $500k EP Taylor Stakes! #BetWoodbine #OfftotheRaces #GetintheGame #HorseRacing #WOIntl #NikonD3300 #wu1a #55200mm A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Racing superstar RYAN MOORE after winning his third consecutive Pattison Canadian International, taking Selfies graciously in the sunset. Hmm.. wonder if he used that #OFFTOTHERACES Hashtag to win $1k?
Free scarves, bets and an international array of tastes!
Good night. A memorable #WOIntl for the books! Had amazing food, won some cash and took lotsa selfies! Until next year! #OfftotheRaces #BetWoodbine #The6ix #Toronto #The6 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
There still is a chance to win $1k by Tweeting out a Selfie of yourself at Woodbine before the end of the 2015 racing season late November, using the Hashtag #OFFTOTHERACES!
We’ll be back next Saturday night at Woodbine for Harness Racing’s biggest night, the BREEDERS CROWN! The experience will be fresh for us and we hope to see you there!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
This post was created in partnership with Woodbine Racetrack.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com