A total of 107 stakes races, worth over $20.25 million, are scheduled.

The first portion of the stakes calendar, which features 37 added-money races through July 7, including the date of the 154th Queen’s Plate, was announced in March.

Key features in the “second half” of the schedule include traditional late season spotlight events, the Ricoh Woodbine Mile and Pattison Canadian International.

The Grade 1, $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile is set for Sunday, September 15 this year. The Mile is once again a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event (Turf Mile), as is its filly and mare companion on the date, the Grade 2, $300,000 Canadian Stakes (Filly & Mare Turf). Also on the power-packed card is the Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Stakes and the Grade 3, $150,000 Ontario Derby.

Many racing fans will remember Wise Dan crushing a strong field in the Mile last year en route to a multiple Eclipse Award-winning campaign, including Horse of the Year.

“The Ricoh Woodbine Mile is a premier event in the Thoroughbred racing world,” said Steve Koch, WEG’s Vice-President of Thoroughbred Racing, “Wise Dan obviously reinforces that distinction. We anticipate offering another brilliant field of world-class horses for the Mile, as well as the Northern Dancer, the Canadian and Ontario Derby that day.”

The Grade 1, $1 million Pattison Canadian International and its filly and mare complement, the Grade 1, $500,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes has found a later spot on the calendar. The pair is now set for Sunday, October 27.

“The later date allows every opportunity for runners coming out of major U.S. and European races to take advantage of Woodbine’s turf course,” said Koch. “Those that run well here usually move on to other races besides the Breeders’ Cup later in the year, such as Hong Kong or Japan.”

Three other “Win and You’re In” races are set for Woodbine. The Grade 1, $300,000 Nearctic Stakes returns as a WAYI race (Turf Sprint) and is set for Sunday, October 13, as does the Grade 2 two-year-old turf events, the $200,000 Natalma Stakes (Juvenile Fillies Turf) and $200,000 Summer Stakes, presented by TVG (Juvenile Turf). Both are set for Saturday, September 14.

The third and turf jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown, the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes, is set for Sunday, August 18 at Woodbine. The Prince of Wales, the middle gem, is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30 at Fort Erie.

The entire Woodbine stakes schedule follows:

2013 Stakes Schedule

April
$150,000 STAR SHOOT STAKES – Saturday, April 20
$150,000 WOODSTOCK STAKES – Sunday, April 21
$150,000 JACQUES CARTIER STAKES – Saturday, April 27
$150,000 WHIMSICAL STAKES – Sunday, April 28 (Gr.3)

May
$150,000 FURY STAKES* – Saturday, May 4
$150,000 QUEENSTON STAKES* – Saturday, May 11
$200,000 ECLIPSE STAKES – Sunday, May 12 (Gr.2)
$125,000 BALLADE STAKES** – Saturday, May 18
$150,000 SELENE STAKES – Sunday, May 19 (Gr.3)
$125,000 NEW PROVIDENCE STAKES** – Monday, May 20
$125,000 LADY ANGELA STAKES** – Saturday, May 25
$200,000 NASSAU STAKES – Saturday, May 25 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 MARINE STAKES – Saturday, May 26
$200,000 CONNAUGHT CUP STAKES – Saturday, May 26 (Gr.2, Turf)

June
$150,000 HENDRIE STAKES – Saturday, June 1 (Gr.3)
$150,000 VIGIL STAKES – Sunday, June 2 (Gr. 3)
$125,000 BOLD RUCKUS STAKES** – Saturday, June 8 (Turf)
$125,000 TRILLIUM STAKES – Saturday, June 8
$500,000 WOODBINE OAKS STAKES, presented by Budweiser*** – Sunday, June 9
$150,000 PLATE TRIAL STAKES*** – Sunday, June 9
$125,000 ALYWOW STAKES – Sunday, June 9 (Turf)
$125,000 ZADRACARTA STAKES* – Saturday, June 15 (Turf)
$125,000 STEADY GROWTH STAKES** – Saturday, June 15
$150,000 VICTORIA PARK STAKES – Sunday, June 16
$150,000 VICTORIA STAKES – Saturday, June 22
$200,000 KING EDWARD STAKES – Sunday, June 23 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 ACHIEVEMENT STAKES* – Saturday, June 29
$250,000 BISON CITY STAKES*** – Sunday, June 30

July
$150,000 DOMINION DAY STAKES – Monday, July 1 (Gr.3)
$150,000 MY DEAR STAKES – Saturday, July 6
$125,000 SWEET BRIAR TOO STAKES – Saturday, July 6
$125,000 CHARLIE BARLEY STAKES – Saturday, July 6 (Turf)
$1,000,000 QUEEN’S PLATE STAKES*** – Sunday, July 7
$200,000 HIGHLANDER STAKES – Sunday, July 7 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 SINGSPIEL STAKES Sunday, July 7 (Gr.3, Turf)
$150,000 CLARENDON STAKES* – Sunday, July 7
$200,000 DANCE SMARTLY STAKES – Sunday, July 7 (Gr.2, Turf)
$125,000 PASSING MOOD STAKES** – Saturday, July 13(Turf)
$150,000 ONTARIO DAMSEL STAKES* – Sunday, July 14 (Turf)
$150,000 SHADY WELL STAKES* – Sunday, July 14
$150,000 BOLD VENTURE STAKES – Wednesday, July 17 (Gr.3)
$125,000 COLIN STAKES – Saturday, July 20
$150,000 ONTARIO MATRON STAKES – Saturday, July 20 (Gr.3)
$200,000 NIJINSKY STAKES – Sunday, July 21 (Gr.2, Turf)
$125,000 DUCHESS STAKES – Saturday, July 21
$125,000 DEPUTY MINISTER STAKES** – Wednesday, July 24
$125,000 TORONTO CUP STAKES – Saturday, July 27 (Turf)
$150,000 ROYAL NORTH STAKES – Sunday, July 28 (Gr.3, Turf)
$500,000 PRINCE OF WALES STAKES *** – Tuesday, July 30 – Run at Fort Erie
$125,000 VICTORIANA STAKES** – Wednesday, July 31 (Turf)

August
$150,000 SEAGRAM CUP STAKES – Saturday, August 03 (Gr.3)
$125,000 NANDI STAKES** – Saturday, August 3
$250,000 WONDER WHERE STAKES*** – Sunday, August 4 (Turf)
$125,000 SHEPPERTON STAKES** – Monday, August 5
$125,000 ETERNAL SEARCH STAKES** – Monday, August 5
$150,000 ONTARIO DEBUTANTE STAKES – Saturday, August 10
$150,000 VANDAL STAKES* – Sunday, August 11
$150,000 ONTARIO COLLEEN STAKES – Saturday, August 17 (Gr.3, Turf)
$500,000 BREEDERS’ STAKES*** – Sunday, August 18 (Turf)
$200,000 SKY CLASSIC STAKES – Sunday, August 18 (Gr.2, Turf)
$125,000 SWYNFORD STAKES – Saturday, August 24
$200,000 PLAY THE KING STAKES – Sunday, August 25 (Gr. 2, Turf)
$200,000 MUSKOKA STAKES*** – Wednesday, August 28
$200,000 SIMCOE STAKES*** – Wednesday, August 28
$125,000 KENORA STAKES*** – Wednesday, August 28
$125,000 ELGIN STAKES*** – Wednesday, August 28
$125,000 ALGOMA STAKES*** – Wednesday, August 28
$125,000 HALTON STAKES*** – Wednesday, August 28 (Turf)
$150,000 SEAWAY STAKES – Saturday, August 31 (Gr. 3)

September
$125,000 VICE REGENT STAKES** – Sunday, September 1 (Turf)
$125,000 LA PREVOYANTE STAKES** – Saturday, September 7 (Turf)
$200,000 NATALMA STAKES -Saturday, September 14 (Gr.2, Turf) WAYI
$200,000 SUMMER STAKES – Saturday, September 14 (Gr.2, Turf) WAYI
$1,000,000 RICOH WOODBINE MILE – Sunday, September 15 (Gr.1, Turf) WAYI
$300,000 NORTHERN DANCER TURF – Sunday, September 15 (Gr.1, Turf)
$300,000 CANADIAN STAKES – Sunday, September 15 (Gr.2, Turf) WAYI
$150,000 ONTARIO DERBY – Sunday, September 15 (Gr.3)
$125,000 LA LORGNETTE STAKES – Saturday, September 21
$125,000 OVERSKATE STAKES** – Sunday, September 22
$125,000 VICTORIAN QUEEN STAKES** – Saturday, September 28
$125,000 CLASSY’N SMART STAKES** – Sunday, September 29

October
$150,000 MAZARINE STAKES – Saturday, October 5 (Gr.3)
$150,000 GREY STAKES – Sunday, October 6 (Gr.3)
$150,000 DURHAM CUP STAKES – Sunday, October 6 (Gr.3)
$150,000 CAROTENE STAKES* – Saturday, October 12 (Turf)
$300,000 NEARCTIC STAKES – Sunday, October 13 (Gr.1, Turf) WAYI
$125,000 BULL PAGE STAKES** – Monday, October 14
$125,000 BUNTY LAWLESS STAKES** – Sunday, October 20 (Turf)
$250,000 CUP & SAUCER STAKES*** – Sunday, October 20 (Turf)
$150,000 FANFRELUCHE STAKES* – Saturday, October 26
$1,000,000 PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL – Sunday, October 27 (Gr.1, Turf)
$500,000 E.P.TAYLOR STAKES -Sunday, October 27 (Gr.1, Turf)

November
$250,000 PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES*** – Sunday, November 2
$150,000 MAPLE LEAF STAKES – Saturday, November 2 (Gr.3)
$150,000 ONTARIO FASHION STAKES – Sunday, November 3 (Gr.3)
$125,000 FROST KING STAKES** – Saturday, November 9
$150,000 AUTUMN STAKES – Sunday, November 10 (Gr.2)
$150,000 JAMMED LOVELY STAKES* – Saturday, November 16
$250,000 CORONATION FUTURITY*** – Sunday, November 17
$125,000 GLORIOUS SONG STAKES – Saturday, November 23
$125,000 SOUTH OCEAN STAKES** – Sunday, November 24
$150,000 KENNEDY ROAD STAKES – Saturday, November 30 (Gr.2)

December
$150,000 BESSARABIAN STAKES – Sunday, December 1 (Gr.2)
$125,000 SIR BARTON STAKES** – Wednesday, December 4
$125,000 KINGARVIE STAKES** – Saturday, December 7
$125,000 DISPLAY STAKES – Sunday, December 8
$150,000 ONTARIO LASSIE STAKES* – Saturday, December 14
$150,000 VALEDICTORY STAKES – Sunday, December 15 (Gr.3)

*starters must be foaled in Ontario
**starters must be sired by Ontario-based stallions
***starters must be foaled in Canada
WAYI “Win and You’re In”

Needless to say, we are shocked and disappointed that City Council rejected an opportunity to make the responsible choice for Woodbine, for our community and for the city, even though a majority of Torontonians supported us.

As disappointed as we are, however, I want to assure you that this is not the end of our efforts. In fact, there are several reasons for optimism. For one, Premier Kathleen Wynne, who is also Minister of Agriculture, has reiterated her commitment to a sustainable future for horse racing in Ontario. As well, she has indicated that her government will integrate horse racing into the provincial gaming strategy going forward. So, with the City Council decision behind us, we are redoubling our efforts to work with the Premier, the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel and the new Acting Chair of the OLG to develop a long-term solution for Woodbine Entertainment Group and the province’s horse racing industry.

Over the past few months, hundreds of you donated your time and effort to supporting Woodbine in petitions, in letters and in person at City Hall. Without you, we would not enjoy such huge public goodwill. We would not be the first-class entertainment destination that we are today. And I would not be as confident as I am that we will ultimately succeed.

Thank you for your support, for your hard work, and most of all for your continued optimism.

Please share this message with your colleagues and employees who may not receive this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Nick Eaves
President and CEO
Woodbine Entertainment Group

“We are shocked and disappointed by Toronto City Council’s actions, which have put thousands of jobs at risk. Despite the fact that a majority of Torontonians supported expanded gaming at Woodbine, council rejected an opportunity to protect 7,500 existing jobs in Toronto and tens of thousands more throughout the province,” said Nick Eaves, President and CEO of WEG. “Now, with all those jobs in jeopardy, we need to get this right and look forward to continuing the dialogue with Premier Wynne to ensure they are not lost.”

Since the province’s cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program and throughout the Toronto casino debate, WEG has consistently warned that without the long-term, sustainable revenue offered by expansion of the existing gaming facility at Woodbine, its horse racing operations – and, by extension, the entire sector – would be at risk.

“Woodbine is vital to the horse racing industry and thousands of people in communities across Ontario whose livelihoods depend on it,” Eaves said. “We are deeply concerned that Council’s decision may open the door for a competing casino in a neighbouring municipality, which could be devastating to our operations, to our core business and to horse racing in Ontario.

“Premier Wynne, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, has indicated that horse racing will be part of Ontario’s new gaming strategy going forward. With this in mind, we want to work with her to ensure that horse racing and the 55,000 jobs it supports across this province have a viable, sustainable future.”

Due to the infectious nature of this disease it is important that decisive measures be taken to protect our equine athletes.  Therefore, no horses that are or were stabled at the affected training centre from April 29, 2013 be allowed to race in Ontario until further notice.

The Ontario Racing Commission is closely monitoring the situation and any further developments will be reported.

For more information, call 1-855-261-6821.

Trained by Mark Casse for owner Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc., Paso Doble came into the six furlong stake off a nose defeat to Executive Five in the prep for the New Providence.

Eurico Rosa da Silva, who picked up the mount on the seven-year-old Bold n’ Flashy gelding when Patrick Husbands was injured earlier on the card, settled Paso Doble into a comfortable stalking position on the rail as Royal Egbert led the field down the backstretch.

Royal Egbert set splits of :22.58 and :45.13 but came under pressure turning into the stretch as Paso Doble angled off the rail and surged into the lead.

Sorry About That and Executive Five tried, but failed, to collar Paso Doble who ran out a 1 1/4-length winner in a final running time of 1:09.81. Sorry About That edged Executive Five for place.

Allowing the speedy Paso Doble to relax was always part of the plan for da Silva.

“Mark (Casse) told me to try to relax him and that’s what I did,” said Casse. “He broke really sharp, he could have gone to the lead today, but I left him alone and he relaxed very well for me. In the turn, I had a lot of horse.”

The speedy chestnut won this event in 2011 and narrowly missed repeating in 2012 when defeated less than a length by Gypsy Ring.

Paso Doble banked $75,000 in victory, while improving his record to 9-9-5 from 36 career starts.

He returned $5.50, $3.60 and $2.60, pairing with Sorry About That ($9, $5.90) for a $66.60 (4-9) exactor. A 4-9-8 (Executive Five, $4.90 to show) triactor was worth $168.25. Haverhill completed a $1 Superfecta (4-9-8-2) worth $478.90. Jenna’s Wabbit was scratched.

Trained by Brian Lynch, the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was full of run through the stretch under rider Luis Contreras to score a four-length win in the 1 1/16-mile ‘Poly’ stake.

Leigh Court set swift splits of :23.24 and :46.66 while opening up a 10-length lead down the backstretch as Coffee Clique and Thats Our Princess stalked from a distance.

Contreras urged Coffee Clique into contention through the turn with Overheard following his cue to converge on Leigh Court at the top of the lane.

Overheard threatened briefly, but once Contreras shook the reins his filly responded with a powerful kick to take the spoils in a final running time of 1:43.63. Nipissing closed along the rail to win a place photo from Overheard.

Contreras wasn’t too concerned about the runaway pacesetter in the early stages of the Selene.

“I got a perfect trip,” said Contreras. “I knew there was crazy speed in the race, but I just tried to relax and save my horse until the end. I had a lot of horse and she gave me everything.”

Coffee Clique kept busy over the winter racing four times at Gulfstream Park, winning a turf allowance and notching a third-place effort in the Secret Grace Stakes last time out.

Lynch believes that having Contreras breeze the filly in advance of the Selene was a key factor in her performance.

“She’s a great little filly, very honest,” said Lynch. “Luis got to work her during the week as she’s not long up from Keeneland. I think he was very confident after that work and rode her very nicely today. She’s very versatile, looks like the ‘Poly’ and the turf…that’s her number.”

The conditioner has prepared the bay for what he hopes will be a lucrative campaign at Woodbine.

“I didn’t want to over race her(in Florida),” said Lynch. “It’s very tempting when you have a three-year-old filly to get creative down there, but we feel like the program up here for three-year-olds is great and we want to save her for that and have a fresh horse.”

Coffee Clique banked $90,000 in victory, while improving her record to 3-1-0 from six career starts.

She returned $7.60, $3.60 and $2.70, pairing with Nipissing ($3.20, $2.50) for a $21.50 (8-2) exactor. An 8-2-4 (Overheard, $3 to show) triactor was worth $26.90. Spring Venture completed a $1 Superfecta (8-2-4-3) worth $57. Takeyourbreathaway was scratched.

Live racing continues at Woodbine on Holiday Monday featuring the $125,000 New Providence Stakes, a six-furlong sprint headlined by a pair of Mark Casse trainees – Paso Doble and Haverhill. First post time is slated for 1 p.m.

Godfrey, who took on the role as chair of the OLG in 2009, has reinvented the organization, helping it become modern and more efficient, according to Finance Minister Charles Sousa. It appears, however, that Godfrey’s “modernization” plan for gaming in Ontario did not suit Premier Kathleen Wynne, though a reason for his dismissal has not been given.

Peter Wallace, the secretary of the cabinet and head of the Ontario public service, will serve as interim chair, helping to develop a new direction for the Ontario gaming strategy.

Sue Leslie, president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA), who met personally with Premier Wynne in April, issued the following statement regarding the departure Paul Godfrey and the OLG Board of Directors:

“Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry has been reeling since March 2012 when the Government of Ontario announced the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program. Our industry’s concerns were compounded by what we perceived to be process failures on the part of the OLG Board to ensure our industry had a role to play in their modernization plan.

“Under Premier Wynne, our industry has seen the start of a number of positive steps, including the government’s announcement that horse racing will become an integrated partner in the government’s future gaming strategy.

“We have welcomed these changes, and with the departure of the OLG board that designed the province’s modernization strategy, we believe there is a real opportunity for Premier Wynne to develop a new strategy that engages Ontario’s horse racing and breeding sector, brings communities into the decision making process, and creates an approach to gaming modernization that is more palatable to everyone.

“The horse racing industry believes that Premier Wynne has an opportunity to formally pause the OLG’s current modernization process, including the RFPQs underway in Sudbury, Peterborough and Ottawa, to ensure the OLG does not make any decisions regarding gaming zones where racetracks currently exist.

“The horse racing and breeding industry is ready to work with the Premier to develop a program that substantially increases government revenues and ensures the sustainability of horse racing and breeding in Ontario.”

Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA) president, Sue Leslie, recently did an At the Gate podcast with Norm Borg in which she discussed her meeting with Premier Wynne prior to the announcement. Leslie expressed cautious optimism regarding the Premier Wynne’s commitment to helping the industry, and relief in having finally made face-to-face contact with the Liberal leadership.

Leslie told Borg: “I think there is cause for optimism. Obviously, with what the industry has been through and continues to go through, everyone is cautious. And certainly so am I, but the meeting between the Premier and was very frank, very direct. She asked, I think, very appropriate questions and probed in the right areas. I certainly minced no words with her in terms of the condition that the Liberal government’s decision has left our industry in, and that immediate action was required in order to attempt to start remedying it. She has been very responsive to that. She made some commitments to me that day and she, since that meeting, has fulfilled those commitments. She certainly has given some indication that she is a little more in tune now with what’s happening in the industry.

“The main thing, from our view, was to make sure she understood how desperate things are in the industry, and that we’re sitting on the edge of a cliff and we don’t have months and months to get some assurances, to get a sustainability plan in place that will allow the industry to have some confidence that there is going to be a future and that there’s reason for them to invest.”

Borg asked Leslie which commitments Premier Wynne had made, and she responded: “As I am sure most everyone in the industry knows now, she has set deadlines to get an agenda in place as to [integration] is going to happen, and she has set a deadline of this October for the plan to be on her desk – not on the desk of the OLG or the Minister of Finance, but reporting directly back to her as to what the plan for integration is going to be for 2014.”

In terms of specific ideas regarding how racing will be integrated into the Ontario gaming strategy, Leslie said: “I don’t think we do have those answers, which is why she has lit the fire to get the conversations started. There have certainly been all kinds of different suggestions and proposals and I think the difference now – and I say this with some caution – is that instructions have come directly from the Premier, and she now is going to expect the different ministries and the panel to respond to her instructions with a timeline. So, all the different possibilities of integration are going to have to be discussed and looked at and analyzed. The good news is that she continues to be committed to integration and she told me directly that I had her personal assurance that she is committed to a vibrant, sustainable horse racing industry in
Ontario. So, now we will have to see to what extent the government is prepared to go to in order to make sure that happens.”

She continued: “I think it is going to take time. And remember, [October] is the deadline. That doesn’t mean we can’t get it to her earlier if it comes together through negotiations and discussions. As much as October seems very slow to us, from the experiences I’ve had in the least year with government, that’s fairly rapidly for government to move on a major policy change.”

Leslie said it is very important for OHRIA to establish good relations with all three parties in the province. “I think the good news for the industry is that we now have, I think, established a considerable rapport with all three parties. And, although I know there are some in the industry that disagree with that approach, OHRIA believes that is the only approach. We have to have a relationship with all three parties. We’ve got to make sure all three parties understand the significance of horse racing and breeding in this province and the economic benefits to the province. [It is going to] be an ongoing duty of our industry, that we keep politicians totally apprised of the economic activity and the things that are going good for the industry and the things that are going poorly for the industry.”

While she said the industry will have to wait and see what happens, Leslie said OHRIA will continue to keep the issue of sustainability for horse racing in the spotlight. “There’s a sense of a little bit of relief, that I think finally we have penetrated the liberal leadership, but I still know there are a lot of people hurting and we’ve got to stay right on top of this and keep it as a major focus and priority and keeping pushing along the panel and the OLG and the Minister of Finance, as well as the Premier’s office. Until she shows us that she is not a woman of her word, I am going to accept that she is.”

With purses being offered of close to $3.7 million, the 2013 Racing Program includes a stakes program worth over $750,000, the Ontario Bred and Ontario Sired Purse Bonus Programs in open races and purse supplements available to overnight restricted races.

The Ontario Rewards program supporting the breeding community is continued in 2013 with $550,000 and $55,000 available in Breeders’ Awards and Stallion Awards, respectively. Industry Development Projects have been continued where value to Quarter Horse racing is maximized. Funding is continued for marketing, development of Ontario’s Quarter Horse wagering product, equine research and support of post-racing programs.

The Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program remains committed to the continuing development of a quality Quarter Horse racing sector in Ontario. For further information, contact the Program Administrator at 416-213-0520 or by email at qhprogram@ontarioracingcommission.ca

As transition funding negotiations with track operators are now substantially complete, the province has asked the panel for a plan that sets a clear path forward on:

• modernizing the governance and regulation of the horse racing industry
• growing the fan base and providing more wagering options
• providing ongoing government support
• ensuring animal welfare

A draft plan for consultation is due in June 2013, with a final plan to be completed by October 2013.

The panel will work with industry partners, the Ministry of Finance and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on integrating horse racing with the province’s gaming strategy to offer new gaming products and generate additional revenue.

“Significant strides have been made over the past months to ensure there is horse racing in Ontario for this year and beyond. The panel looks forward to continuing our work with the government and the horse racing industry to ensure a sustainable future for the industry,” said John Snobelen member of the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel.

The new Ontario government is committed to supporting a sustainable racing industry as part of its plan to create jobs and help people with their everyday lives.

“I know how important this industry is to communities across Ontario and I am confident that the expertise and guidance of this panel will help the horse racing industry move toward a bright, sustainable future,” said Kathleen Wynne, Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food.

Quick Facts

• The Final Report of the Horse Racing Industry Transition Panel has been re-released with details regarding the recommended government investment included.

• The Ontario Racing Commission has issued the 2013 Racing Calendar, with race dates for 15 tracks, including Woodbine, Mohawk, Hanover, Western Fair, Clinton, Grand River, Flamboro, Georgian Downs, Fort Erie, Kawartha, Sudbury, Hiawatha, Dresden, Ajax and Rideau Carleton.

• Up to $30 million will be used to develop the Standardbred and Thoroughbred components of the Horse Improvement Program.