Vanessa Ng caught the wacky start of the Wood Memorial. Freedom Child (far outside) was declared a non-starter while another,  Go GET THE BASIL, pushed the gate open before everyone else

 

 

CITY PLAN FOR CASINO THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT OLG PROPOSES
let the games begin!

 

 

People in Toronto are essentially against an expansive casino in downtown Toronto.

In fact more than half in a recent poll said, ‘hey, just expand the Woodbine slots’.

It seems like a slam dunk. The track is not far from downtown, literally at the top top of highway 427 (turns into 27), 15 minutes from the Gardiner.

There is all kinds of room and undeveloped fields that can be used for parking, convention centres, etc. Okay, so this sounds like Woodbine Live!, that somehow was a no=go after so many years since it was previously announced as a project for Woodbine and Cordish Group.

But why not? Why wouldn’t the OLG just expand at Woodbine – tables games can be added, more slots. Gosh, it would sure save the dreaded OLG some face for what they have done to the Ontario horse racing industry in the last 13 months.

Hopefully the people of Toronto will continue to speak – long and loud. A casino belongs at Woodbine where there is already a lovely slots floor and some very nice restaurants with great atmosphere. Add the gorgeous sport of horse racing and well, Mr. Godfrey, wake up.

 

from CP24…

Chris Fox and Paul Johnston, CP24.com
Any new casino in the downtown core must be part of a larger “entertainment complex” and not a stand-alone facility, a report from city manager Joe Pennachetti has found.

The report, which will be formally presented to executive committee at a meeting next Monday, examines the pros and cons of either building a casino in the downtown core or expanding the gaming options offered at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke.

It does not offer an opinion on whether or not the city should allow a casino in the first place, but does indicate a preference for a casino gaming floor of less than 135,000 square feet.
Digital Extra
Casino file
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. has previously suggested that a gaming floor of at least 175,000 square feet would be needed

Read more: http://www.cp24.com/news/staff-won-t-support-stand-alone-casino-report-1.1228342#ixzz2PxiUhNLU

 

 

Hey, BEHOLDER (top) won the Santa Anita Oaks and is a granddaughter of the Canadian mare Crystal Lady. GOLDENCENTS (above), won the Santa Anita Derby and is out of Canadian-bred GOLDEN WORKS. (KELLY CARLSON PHOTOS)

 

 

 

BLUE GRASS STAKES PROBABLES – SATURDAY

Two Canadian-breds and 2 Canadian-owned 3yo colts are among the large set of sophomores expected to race on Saturday in the Blue Grass, the 1 1/8 mile Polytrack event that is one of the last preps for Kentucky Derby horses.
UNCAPTURED, fresh off a big return outing when 2nd in the Spiral Stakes on Mar. 23, had a workout on the weekend (see Sunday’s post for video) and will try to avoid a bounce in the Blue Grass.
DYNAMIC SKY is looking to prove he can successfully negotiate a route race against top company. TESSERON, for Donver Stables, has a lot to prove as yet and JAVA’S WAR, owned by Charles Fipke, is a sleeper colt after a late run in the Tampa Bay Derby behind Verrazano.

 

HORSE                                  JOCKEY                     TRAINER

 

UNCAPTURED*                   M. Mena                      M. Casse/KEE 1

Last race:                                  2nd Spiral (G3) on 3/23 @ TP

Last work:                                 5F in 1:01.40 on 4/6 @ KEE

BALANCE THE BOOKS*    J. Castellano                C. Brown/KEE 12

Last race:                                  11th Spiral (G3) on 3/23 @ TP

Last work:                                 4F in :48.20 on 4/7 @ KEE

DYNAMIC SKY                     J. Rosario                    M. Casse/KEE 1

Last race:                                  4th Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on 3/9

Last work:                                 5F in 1:01.40 on 4/6 @ CD

WEST HILLS GIANT           J. Espinoza                  J. Terranova/BEL

Last race:                                  2nd Gotham (G3) on 3/2 @ Aqu

Last work:                                 5F in 1:00.47 on 4/8 @ BEL

JAVA’S WAR                           J. Leparoux                 K. McPeek/GP

Last race:                                  2nd Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on 3/9

Last work:                                 5F in 1:00.56 on 4/7 @ GP

Arrives KEE on 4/8

CHARMING KITTEN          G. Gomez                    T. Pletcher/CD

Last race:                                  2nd Palm Beach (G3) on 3/3 @ GP

Last work:                                 4F in :50.08 @ Palm Meadows

Arrives CD on 4/8

RYDILLUC*                          E. Prado                      G. Contessa/KEE 30

Last race:                                  Won Palm Beach (G3) on 3/3 @ GP

Last work:                                 7F in 1:28.60 on 4/6 @ KEE

FEAR THE KITTEN            R. Napravnik               M. Maker/CDT

Last race:                                  5th Spiral (G3) on 3/23 @ TP

Last work:                                 5F in 1:02.20 on 4/6 @ Trackside

PALACE MALICE*                                                   T. Pletcher/PM

Last race:                                  7th LA Derby (G2) on 3/30 @ FG

Arrives CD on 4/8

UNDRAFTED*                                                          W. Ward/KEE 47

Last race:                                  3rd Swale (G3) on 3/2 @ GP

Last work:                                 5F in 1:01.60 on 4/6 @ KEE

CHANNEL ISLE                  J. Rocco Jr.                  D.W. Lukas/CD

Last race:                                  7th Spiral (G3) on 3/23 @ TP

Last work:                                 5F in 1:00.60 on 4/4/@ CD

MY NAME IS MICHAEL*   S. Bridgmohan            B. Mott/KEE 25

Last race:                                  8th Spiral (G3) on 3/23 @ TP

Last work:                                 4F in :49 on 4/7 @ KEE

TESSERON                           A. Garcia                     J. Carroll/KEE 7

Last race:                                  4th OC on 2/23 @ GP

Last work:                                 6F in 1:16.20 on 4/3 @ KEE

FOOTBRIDGE                                                          E. Harty/BHP

Last race:                                  Won maiden on 3/17 @ SA

Last work:                                 6F in 1:13.20 on 4/2 @ BHP

Arrives KEE  on 4/10

ETON BLUE                                                             N. Zito/PM

Last race:                                  5th Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on 3/9

Last work:                                 4F in :48.30 on 4/6 @ PM

Arrives KEE on 4/8

DEMONIC* **                                                          J. Sadler/BHP

Last race:                                  Won maiden on 1/13 @ SA

Last work:                                 7F in 1:27.60 on 4/6 @ BHP

*Indicates Keeneland sales graduates

** Possible contender

 

PILOT PROJECT – “IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE”

A 15 minute show previewing races and events coming up each weekend at Woodbine. Our show will offer handicapping tips, news and insights on what is coming up at Woodbine (thoroughbred).
Here is test video #6, done last Friday for some American races (Note the $25 winner picked by Renee Kierans)

 

 

NAME THE FOAL CONTEST ON THE MOTTS!!

Ontario horse racing’s favourite couple, PAUL AND CAROL MOTT are offering up a cool contest for fans – name their foal!  Read all about ‘Leo’s’ arrival, see photos and check out the great prizes!!

The deadline for the contest is April 26, then the top 3 names will be put up on Facebook where the public will vote! Good luck!

 

http://www.themotts.ca/article.php?ID=68