Woodbine Mohawk Park gets back on track June 5
No spectators or casino, but lots of racing
“It could not have rained in a drier place,” is an often used response by horse trainers when a run of good fortune comes their way. Last week’s announcement that harness racing will resume on June 5 would assuredly have generated at least that reaction.
In two week’s time, Woodbine Mohawk Park will commence a five-nights-a-week schedule and most notably do so with a prize structure identical to when racing was halted due to the coronavirus March 17.
“In the short term, the people actually racing the horses will be beneficiaries of the maintained purse structure,” says Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson.
“Racing is fortunate to be able to restart before other major sports. And it’s not just Mohawk. In total, I think there are eight other provincial tracks ready to open, as well. And the reason for the prize money is the funding agreement racing had with the province, which is not linked to casino gaming revenues.”
For the time being, casinos remain in lockdown as they try to reach an understanding on safety and social distancing with the Ontario government. The casino companies are bleeding lost revenue, as is the government.
Quite likely, Ontario will be looking to follow the lead of the Las Vegas gambling dens.
Racing in Ontario will have no on-site spectators, but that will not hamper online wagering. That could be exceptional because of the public’s pent-up demand and the possibility of a deal with The Sports Network to air live race cards two nights per week.
What is getting little attention, though, is the impact that Woodbine Entertainment is experiencing. The company is the landlord for the Woodbine and Mohawk casinos. It also is losing all revenue from the sale of food and beverage on the racetrack side.
“All I will say is the amount is substantial. This has a big impact on (Woodbine Entertainment Group), which cannot continue. But I believe it will be sooner than later that the casinos get approval to open, albeit with radically reduced numbers of customers,” Lawson says.
“And it is important for racing that WEG does well. The simple truth is this company drives the horse-racing industry through its business model.”
Like many businesses, there is speculation the way of doing business will fundamentally change. If people become more attuned to home wagering, the idea of a raving facility with an expensive grandstand may be a thing of the past.
“We may ultimately start to look at sports in general as not needing the big facilities. This may be 20 years down the road but the business model would be far more viable. The safety of customers would be assured and, let’s face it, there is a very good probability this will not be the last virus to come along.”
With the restart, there will be no shortage of horses to fill the race cards. People are champing at the bit after nearly three months of inactivity.
“We know a number of American horses have already shipped in to the various training centres but to Canadian trainers. The American people cannot get in to Canada at least until the border restrictions with the United States are relaxed.”
Those restrictions will remain until at least June 21.
Lawson’s team deserves much of the credit for this imminent reopening. The various levels of government have taken their cues to relax the restrictions on racing because of the convincing arguments that WEG has put forth. These are heavy on safety and a plan to offer a prudent approach to get the industry back in harness. And it did not go cap in hand looking for bailout money.
Working on the assumption there are no virus hiccups, the stakes schedule will get some serious rejigging. The $1-million North America Cup’s June 20 date has been scrapped in favour of Aug. 29 and there will be more changes.
The racing participants did lose close to three months of revenue-earning opportunities. Once the first call to the post takes place June 5, that will be forgotten and it will be game on again. The drier place will be dry no more.