Like it or not, the focus is on Mohawk

Just over two weeks ago, the harness racing meet began at the newly-branded Woodbine Mohawk Park (formerly Mohawk Racetrack), which will be the sport’s permanent new home.

The track is getting the final touches on a $10 million makeover that will allow for year-round racing.

There are mixed feelings within the racing fraternity about not having a presence within metropolitan Toronto. Everyone likes the convenience factor of being at Campbellville but worry about the impact it will have on the live crowd.

In the initial discussions with the racing community, Woodbine talked about construction of a new paddock — which was greeted with much enthusiasm. However, late last year officials announced that it would not happen — the $8 to $10 million cost no doubt the cause.

It is a short-sighted view, though, when examined in a broader context.

In February, horse racing came to an end at Northlands Park in Edmonton after a storied existence in the Wild Rose province.

Earlier this month, Detroit’s Hazel Park, which switched from harness racing to thoroughbreds in 2014, shuttered its doors for the final time.

Then, just this past week, word came out of Montreal that the city was drawing closer to demolishing venerable Blue Bonnets Raceway, which closed its doors in 2009. Word is that the new mayor will make way for affordable housing on the historic site.

And while no one is happy with the money being offered in the wake of the Ontario government’s horrific decision to sever the Slots At Racetracks Program six years ago, it is better than the fate suffered by the aforementioned.

Also, earlier this month, it was announced that Woodbine Mohawk Park would host the 2019 Breeders Crown series of races. The direct cost is something in the $800,000-900,000 range, which some would rather have seen go into overnight purses there.

“For the greater good of the game it was the right decision,” says John Bax, one of the more thoughtful horsemen in Ontario.

“I believe in top-notch racing and if Woodbine wants to portray itself to be world class then it has to have world-class horses, which the Breeders Crown brings. But to do that costs money.”

But Bax, who operates a training centres just minutes from the racetrack, sees the other side of the equation.

“In real time maybe it’s not such a great deal. What we are left with is a warmed-over paddock in place of what we would told would be as good as there is in racing. The current paddock is close to 20 years old and while it will do, it is out of step with racing at this juncture in time,” he says.

“In the perfect world each horse would have had a full stall to settle into before the race. Instead we’re getting a lipstick job on what we had. That is disappointing but we have no choice but to live with it.”

He also points to one significant benefit to year-round racing at Woodbine Mohawk, the ability again to have year-round training on that racing surface.

“People can say all they want about the surfaces at the training centres and farms but none measure up to the Mohawk surface. Woodbine spent $200,000 on material last fall and as the meet progresses that will pay off. To have that open to use especially through the winter months is a huge benefit.”

Still, some argue the bulk of the Breeders Crown prize money heads stateside these days. That falls on deaf ears as far as Bax, who has one Breeders Crown victory, is concerned.

“If you want to play with the best you have to take steps to try to be the best. One has to get the superior animals to perform otherwise you are buying into protectionism and we all know where that leads.”

Woodbine Mohawk Park does not have a glitzy paddock for its horses to race from. But it does have a jazzed-up grandstand, which hopefully is meeting with the approval of its customers.

It also has a coveted vault of prize money. And people just need to look around at the alternatives that other regions are dealing with.