Blog Post
Mohawk Protocols For Racing
May 26, 2020
Woodbine Entertainment today released its Phase One protocols applicable for all racing operations at Woodbine Mohawk Park, including race nights, qualifiers and training.
All racing participants and staff are required to familiarize with and practice the protocols.
Mohawk opens for training tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27. The first qualifying day is Thursday, May 28. Live racing resumes on Friday, June 5. All live racing, qualifiers and training will be held without spectators.
Woodbine Mohawk Park – Protocols
Applicable to all operations including Race Nights, Qualifiers and Training Mornings - Phase 1
Effective May 27, 2020
We are working hard to keep our racing participants safe and healthy. Please help us all keep racing operations going safely by following the protocols set out in this document. Every essential staff person and racing participant must follow the safest practices on-site and off-site: please try to limit exposure outside of the racetrack, stay 6 feet/2m away from others, recommended to wear a mask outside the home if possible, do not touch your face, and wash hands/sanitize frequently.
The health of our horse people is of paramount importance, but the group that post the greatest risk to continue racing, are the drivers and the Start Car driver and Starter. Please handle these groups with great care and respect and encourage others to do so too. Always wear your mask, keep your hands sanitized, and wear gloves when coming into contact with frequently touched areas such as water taps, crossties and stall door latches.
As per Government guidelines the Woodbine Mohawk Park site will be closed to all spectators. Owners and Media are not permitted at this time. Only essential personnel will be granted access.
General Rules of Paddock Operation
The Paddock shall be disinfected after each racing, qualifying and training day. Sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the paddock. Entry into the paddock shall be limited to essential personnel only. Non-essential personnel will not be granted access to the site.
Every person entering the paddock shall undergo screening and temperature checks at the Security Check Point. This will be the ONLY point of entry for all Woodbine staff, regulatory officials and racing participants.
All communications should be carried out electronically where possible to limit in person contact.
There shall be no loitering in or around the entrance to the paddock, as all COVID-19 protocols on physical distancing shall be adhered to.
The paddock kitchen shall remain closed. All essential personnel must bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages until further notice. There will be no microwave in the paddock. Racing participants are encouraged to bring their own supply of drinking water during the extreme warm temperatures.
Masks (or face covering nose and mouth) are mandatory at all times for racing participants. It is strongly recommended racing participants also wear gloves when coming into contact with frequently touched areas such as water taps, cross ties and door latches.
Essential Paddock Personnel Includes:
- Paddock Judge, Horse Identifier, Saddle Pad Attendant, Parking Lot Attendant, Outrider, two Starting Car Persons, Security, Blacksmith, Veterinarians, TC02 Tech, Test barn Techs, Property Services Labourer, Trainers, Grooms, Drivers, Judges, Official Racetrack Photographer.
- Owners are not permitted at this time as per Provincial guidelines for sports without spectators.
- Only trainers with an entry will be permitted, unless entering a claim that night.
- No one under the age of 16 shall be permitted onsite until further notice.
- Only the Paddock Judge & Equipment Inspector will have access to the Paddock Office.
- The grandstand will remain closed, other than the Race Office and Bookkeeper.
- There are NO food or beverage operations in the Grandstand until further notice.
- Grandstand washrooms are closed. Paddock facilities will be cleaned as per protocols.
Hand cleaning and sanitization stations
have been added to all key areas.
Race Night Operations:
Post times to be communicated from Race Office. Races will be spaced at 25 minute intervals. All horses must report to the Paddock as per their one hour retention time.
Physical Distancing:
Racing participants are instructed to get in and get out quickly and efficiently.
Horses in the old portion of the paddock shall be placed in every other stall to ensure physical distancing is being practiced. Horses racing out of the new paddock expansion shall be placed in stalls side by side, as these stalls are much wider, and the wall between stalls raises over 8ft high. Handlers of all horses must ensure they are keeping the appropriate distance from the handler of the horse beside them and wear a face mask and gloves at all times.
Horses shall only be allowed to go one warm up trip. Trainers wishing to go two warm trips must go first warm-up at home/training center. There shall be no extra warm up people in the paddock. Trainers must warm up their own horses. Each horse racing shall have a maximum of one handler. Trainers racing multiple horses must have grooms taking care of multiple horses. All horses and their handlers must leave the paddock half an hour following their race, unless the handler is tending to horses in a later race. Horses who have been post race tested may leave the paddock 45 minutes following their race.
The drivers' locker room, lounge and showers shall remain closed at this time.
Drivers are to wear face masks and gloves at all times, except when driving during the race. While waiting between races, drivers should maintain physical distancing protocols. Upon the driver’s last race of the day, he/she should leave the paddock immediately after notifying the Paddock Judge.
Lasix and CPMA Test Barn Procedures:
Lasix shall be administered in the two stalls at the southwest corner of the old paddock. These stalls will be fenced off, so that non-lasix horses do not have access to these stalls. Trainers shall unload their horses at the southwest door, and their horse will be administered its Lasix. Once it receives its Lasix the horse shall be taken back to Barn eight. There shall be no loitering in or at the entrance of Barn eight. All Handlers must either be outside in an open area practicing physical distancing or waiting in their vehicle until it is time for their horse to report to the Paddock.
Post Race testing:
Following each race, two horses shall be tested. Blood shall be drawn on all test horses after 30 minutes if the horse is unable to provide a urine sample. A Woodbine security guard shall be stationed outside of the test area to ensure all horses and their handlers are entering and exiting the test area in an appropriate fashion. The security guard will also supply anyone entering the test barn a new mask and gloves.
- Physical distancing to be practiced at all times. when entering the test barn with a horse. Attend the opposite side of the horse, from the technician.
- Remain vigilant and respectful of the Racing Forensic Technicians at all times.
- Hands sanitized on the way in and way out.
- Masks and gloves mandatory
Start Car:
Start Car Driver, and Starter will wear medical masks at all times.
The start car shall be sanitized and cleaned daily.
Racing Offices and Bookkeeper Racing Finance:
Race Office staff must ensure physical distancing is practiced. An extreme push shall be made to have trainers make their entries online. No more than one person shall be at the counter at one time. All others must wait outside of office doors with appropriate distance between each person. There shall be Plexi glass or plastic sheet between employees and horse people at counter.
Bookkeeper's Office shall only have one person in addition to the Bookkeeper at any time. All Others must wait outside office doors with appropriate distance between each person. There shall be a Plexi-glass window around desk.
Bookkeeper will only be open for business during LIVE racing hours only.
The protocols above apply to all Qualifying Races.
Training Mornings – Wed. & Sat. 7:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Training slots will be limited to 50 horses per two hour block.
- Trainers must sign-up in advance online using the online sign-up tool on a first come first serve basis. Contact Dylan Allain, Assistant Race Secretary with any questions dallain@woodbine.com.
- All protocols listed in the document are in effect for morning training hours.
(WEG)
Thanks to Chris Loman of Woodbine Entertainment for following up on the story of Shadow Place who was recently found a forever home by OSAS. An iron horse who included the coveted Gold Cup and Saucer among his accomplishments,Shadow Place has found a loving forever home with Alexandra and Tim Dickieson on their farm in Holland Centre. In Chris's feature story, he explains the significance of the Gold Cup victory for his longtime owner Katie Miller, a detective with the Regional Police in Waterloo and the Dickiesons. The full story may be read: https://newsroom.woodbine.com/shadow-place-strikes-gold...
The 2025 OSAS Stallion Auction concluded today with tremendous interest and bidding, and we appreciate everyone who donated and bid to make it another successful fundraiser for our retired harness horses. The following are the stallions and their successful purchasers. STALLION BUYER Alarm Detector Calabode Farms Alarm Detector Calabode Farms All Bets Off Chris Cain Betterthancheddar Zach Carroll Big Jim Chris Bradt Bulldog Hanover Ben Ramsey Cattlewash Philippe Trudeau Century Farroh Bill Mackay Control The Moment Ashley MacDonald Dancin Lou Nancy MacNevin Dancin Lou Michelle Bohrer Lookslikeachpndale Ian Fleming McWicked Stuart Bolender Run Director Vernon Wagler Sunshine Beach Kelly Bryczka We express our sincere appreciation to Seelster Farms, Tara Hills Stud, Winbak Farms, Steve Calhoun, Dave Kryway, Ontario 1362313 and Heather Davies for their generous stallion breeding donations and to all the bidders for your interest and support. Founded in 1996, OSAS is the official agency responsible for finding forever homes for retired Standardbreds and to showcase the versatility of the breed.
A reminder that the 2025 OSAS Stallion Auction closes today, Thursday, February 13, starting at noon. The annual fundraiser features 13 of the province’s top sires as follows: Alarm Detector All Bets Off Betterthanheddar Big Jim Bulldog Hanover Cattlewash Century Farroh Control The Moment Dancin Lou Lookslikeachpndale McWicked Run Director Sunshine Beach It will be a staggered close starting alphabetically with Alarm Detector at noon and the next horse 15 minutes later until it concludes with Sunshine Beach. Note that if a bid occurs in the final 60 seconds of the stallion’s availability, the auction for that stallion will be extended for 120 seconds or until all bidding ceases. To view the auction please click here . A reminder that you are required to register prior to placing your first bid. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748. There has been a tremendous response to this year’s auction and we are extremely grateful to the stallion owners for their generous donations and to the many bidders for your support.
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society’s annual Stallion Auction gets underway today (Monday, February 10) at noon and features some of the most popular and prolific sires in the province. At the recent O’Brien Awards the first two trophies given out were to offspring of sires in our auction – Chantilly by Big Jim and Stonebridge Wizard by Dancin Lou. Many of the stallions available were O’Brien winners themselves including three named Canada’s Horse of the Year – Bulldog Hanover, Century Farroh and McWicked. The auction also gives breeders the opportunity to access Cattlewash whose book is full and closed for the 2025 breeding season as well as to the sport’s fastest performer of all time, Bulldog Hanover. The complete list of stallions available are, in alphabetical order: Alarm Detector All Bets Off Betterthanheddar Big Jim Bulldog Hanover Cattlewash Century Farroh Control The Moment Dancin Lou Lookslikeachpndale McWicked Run Director Sunshine Beach The auction will end Thursday, February 13 with a staggered close also starting at noon and is once again hosted by Easy Auction and may be accessed here . A reminder that you are required to register prior to placing your first bid. This auction is annually one of the most successful fundraisers for OSAS and we are so grateful to all the stallion owners for their generous donations and to all the bidders for your support. Any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748.
OSAS is pleased to announce the dates for their annual stallion auction which could be the last opportunity to obtain a breeding to popular sires whose books have already closed for this year’s season. The 2025 OSAS Stallion Auction will run from Monday, February 10 starting at noon and close Thursday, February 13 with a staggered close also starting at noon. Always one of OSAS’s most popular fundraisers, this year’s stallion auction will be once again hosted by Easy Auction which may be accessed here . To date the sires which will be available are, in alphabetical order: Alarm Detector All Bets Off Betterthanheddar Big Jim Bulldog Hanover Cattlewash Century Farroh Control The Moment Dancin Lou Lookslikeachpndale McWicked Run Director Sunshine Beach Please check back regularly for updates to the list. OSAS thanks every stallion owner for their generosity and support again this year. Additional sires will be accepted up until February 8. To donate, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Joanne Colville at osashorses@gmail.com or call or text 905-339-6748. Established in 1996, OSAS is the official adoption agency for Standardbred horses in the province, responsible for spreading the message of the versatility of the breed and finding forever loving homes for retired pacers and trotters.
Shadow Place, whose accomplishments during his storied career included winning the coveted Gold Cup and Saucer, recently found a forever home through the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. Now 14, Shadow Place began his career as a two-year-old in 2013 which saw him successfully compete in the Ontario Sires Stakes, winning a Grassroots event at Hanover Raceway in his second lifetime start. The son of Shadow Play had additional OSS wins as a sophomore and then went on to enjoy a long career as a veteran campaigner throughout Ontario in addition to a couple of stints at US tracks. His most successful year was 2017, his seven-year-old season, which saw him take in over $136,000 and capture the Maritime’s most prestigious harness race, the Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown Driving Park. That was very special for Katie Miller, who was with Shadow Place for the majority of his career as well as his retirement up until now. “Obviously growing up on the east coast, the Gold Cup & Saucer is the holy grail. So, to take him there, let alone win it, was beyond anything I can ever describe. I actually thought I was going to pass out walking back to the winner’s circle that night. He stood there for 20 minutes, like an angel, while people took very muddy photos with him,” she described. Shadow Place’s final career start came in December of 2021 at The Raceway in London. Upon his retirement his stats show 142 trips behind the gate for a summary of 27-13-19 with $360,539 banked. His life best of 1:49.1 was recorded at Mohawk during his five-year-old season. “When I retired him four years ago, he had a tendon injury and he stayed with me until the opportunity came through OSAS to give him an amazing forever home with Alexandra and Tim Dickieson, who are lovely. I personally can’t provide such a picturesque property for him to live out his days and may never be able to,” explained Katie, a detective with the Regional Police in Waterloo, Ontario. “All we can do is put our horses first and I think this is the least I can do for him given all he has done for me,” added Katie who plans to visit Shadow Place at his new home at the Dickieson’s farm in Holland Centre, Ontario where he moved to last week. Shadow Place, who Katie broke to ride, has joined the couple’s other horses who are saddle horses or Standardbreds enjoying some time away from the racetrack. “He loves it, he has two other geldings and three mares as buddies. They are out together during the day and in stalls at night,” said Tim who currently has five horses racing. Four: Kaptain Karlos, Mamba, Ilikemebettor and No Wait List - are with Blake MacIntosh while Tyler Moore trains the recently acquired Fashion Forward for them. While Shadow Place will never grace the winners’ circle again, it seems he’s found a winning retirement surrounded by people who simply want the best for him.
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society sends warm wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season and happy and healthy 2025. Thanks to Brooke Luke for this wonderful photo of Frightful Watch (aka Kevin) and Weatherly (Wes) who she adopted from OSAS a few years back. At the time she had no idea the pair were former stablemates in the Julie Walker barn. That story was a feature on OSAS and may be read Racing Buddies Together Again In Retirement
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society congratulates the winners of our annual Second Chance Raffle and sincerely thanks all who donated prizes and purchased tickets. The winners were drawn on a live Facebook post on Friday (December 13) evening by Emma Christoforou, who co-ordinated this year’s event once again with the assistance of her mother, OSAS’s Joanne Colville, and dedicated long time volunteer Jean Posthuma. This year 19 baskets were offered with varying values and included a myriad of wonderful items including Toronto Maple Leaf tickets, a full harness, various horse supplies, cosmetics and much more. The following is a list of this year’s baskets and their lucky winner. Emma will reach out to the winners to organize pick up and/or delivery. Thanks again to everyone for their participation in this always popular fundraiser. Our horses appreciate your support. 2024 Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Winners BASKET WINNER Basket 1 Nat Steacy Get Western Two $25 Pleasant Ridge Gift Certificates, The Hat Effect, Bushel Barn and $100 Greenhawk gift certificate. Basket 2 Zara Thurgood Leaf Tickets Two tickets to Toronto Maple Leafs (January 29, 2025). Value approx. $600. Basket 3 Sue Brookes Marlies Night Four tickets to Toronto Marlies vs. Bakersfield Condors (December 14, 2024). Basket 4 Dianne Currie Date Night Two gift certificates to Jakes Oyster House ($50 each), Yuk Yuks at Grand River, $100 Keg & $50 & $25 multi restaurant cards. Basket 5 Cathy Walsh Wildwinds 4 golf passes to Wildwinds Golf Course, value $320. Basket 6 Cathy Walsh Lucky Lotto $170 worth of lottery tickets. Basket 7 Sheri Whitworth Preserves Assorted homemade preserves, heated blanket, holiday cutting board, dish towels and three in one wireless charging station. Basket 8 Derek Reid Granite Ridge Four golf passes to Granite Ridge golf club. Approx. value $360. Basket 9 Debi O’Brien Moran Chocolate Lovers Large assortment of a variety of chocolates. Basket 10 Nat Steacy Equine Oil 1 18L bucket Smart Earth Camelina Oil Basket 11 Rena Soundy Girls’ Night Assortment of wine, coolers, shots. Value $170. Basket 12 Sally Roberts Chevy GMC travel mug, t-shirt & toque. Basket 13 Bethany Bahr Self-Care/Beauty Basket A myriad of wonderful self-care and beauty products. Value: $1,700. Basket 14 Nat Steacy Horse Care Two gallons Smart Earth Camelina Oil, gift certificate, clean kit, riding socks and $100 Greenhawk gift card. Basket 15 Rena Soundy Happy Gilmore OSAS golf merchandise, golf balls and ball cap. Basket 16 Chris Ruhl Complete Harness Includes blind bridle, lines, handholds, Buxton, race halter (winner can select colour). Basket 17 Arabella Kanter Horse Lovers $100 gift card to MareFlare equestrian & a variety of horse care products. Basket 18 Arlene McIntrye Racing Night Dinner for two at Mohawk, Mohawk swag & a handmade wooden clock. Basket 19 Alyson Roberts Cosmo For Her A wide variety of women’s cosmetics. Value: $900. 
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to once again host a Christmas Second Chance Raffle named to reflect our mission to give retired Standardbreds a second chance and forever home. How it works is you view the 19 baskets being offered this year at the Facebook page Santa's Second Chance Raffles. Select the ones you wish to bid on and purchase however many tickets you want for it. Ticket prices are $2 or $5 depending upon the basket. Brief descriptions may be found below, fuller descriptions on the FB page. Tickets may be purchased up until December 12 at midnight. The winners will be drawn the following evening live on Facebook (time to be determined based on racing schedules). To pay please send e-transfer to santassecondchanceraffles@gmail.com or give cash to either Joanne Colville or Emma Christoforou at Mohawk or Flamboro. We encourage folks to purchase their tickets early to help our volunteers stay organized. Any questions please call or text Joanne at 905-339-6748 or email osashorses@gmail.com. Thanks to everyone who supports this fundraiser, contributed to the baskets and helps behind the scenes. Our horses appreciate everyone’s efforts. 2024 Santa’s Second Chance Raffle Baskets Basket 1 Get Western - $2/ticket Two $25 Pleasant Ridge Gift Certificates, The Hat Effect, Bushel Barn and $100 Greenhawk gift certificate. Basket 2 Leaf Tickets - $5/ticket Two tickets to Toronto Maple Leafs (January 29, 2025). Value approx. $600. Basket 3 Marlies Night - $2/ticket Four tickets to Toronto Marlies vs. Bakersfield Condors (December 14, 2024). Basket 4 Date Night - $2/ticket Two gift certificates to Jakes Oyster House ($50 each), Yuk Yuks at Grand River, $100 Keg & $50 & $25 multi restaurant cards. Basket 5 Wildwinds - $2/ticket 4 golf passes to Wildwinds Golf Course, value $320. Basket 6 Lucky Lotto - $2/ticket $170 worth of lottery tickets. Basket 7 Preserves - $2/ticket Assorted homemade preserves, heated blanket, holiday cutting board, dish towels and three in one wireless charging station. Basket 8 Granite Ridge - $2/ticket Four golf passes to Granite Ridge golf club. Approx. value $360. Basket 9 Chocolate Lovers - $2/ticket Large assortment of a variety of chocolates. Basket 10 Equine Oil - $2/ticket 1 18L bucket Smart Earth Camelina Oil Basket 11 Girls’ Night - $2/ticket Assortment of wine, coolers, shots. Basket 12 Chevy - $2/ticket GMC travel mug, t-shirt & toque. Basket 13 Self-Care/Beauty Basket - $2/ticket A myriad of wonderful self-care and beauty products. Value: $1,700. Basket 14 Horse Care - $2/ticket Two gallons Smart Earth Camelina Oil, gift certificate, clean kit, riding socks and $100 Greenhawk gift card. Basket 15 Happy Gilmore - $2/ticket OSAS golf merchandise, golf balls and ball cap. Basket 16 Complete Harness - $5/ticket Includes blind bridle, lines, handholds, Buxton, race halter (winner can select colour). Basket 17 Horse Lovers - $2/ticket $100 gift card to MareFlare equestrian & a variety of horse care products. Basket 18 Racing Night - $2/ticket Dinner for two at Mohawk, Mohawk swag & a handmade wooden clock. Basket 19 Cosmo For Her - $2/ticket A wide variety of women’s cosmetics. Value: $900.
The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is pleased to offer an additional way to donate funds which benefits everyone. By donating stocks, securities or mutual funds in kind it allows the person donating to claim a higher rate on their taxes in addition to supporting OSAS. Essentially a win/win for all. “We have arranged that OSAS can now accept and issue charitable receipts for stock donations. For stocks with large accrued gains this is a terrific opportunity to support a great cause and get a great tax benefit,” explained long time owner Clay Horner. OSAS recently found a forever home for A Rockaway Bay, a half-brother to Clay’s talented pacer Doonbeg. It’s best to make the donation before the end of a calendar year to be able to claim it on the current year’s taxes. To learn more about this opportunity please click here . OSAS is working with the Royal Bank of Canada on this venture. To access the information to make a donation please click here .
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