GETTING READY

OPENING DAY – 1:10 p.m.

From all reports, Woodbine’s POLYTRACK is enjoying the warmer temperatures that southern Ontario has had in recent days and figures to be in good form for opening day.
The forecast for Saturday is rain and a high of just 5 degrees (approx. 40 Fahrenheit) followed by much colder and snowier weather next week.
The Polytrack was the subject of meetings yesterday between Woodbine and Martin Collins’ company that installed the surface.
Jelly cable is scheduled to be added to the surface when the weather gets consistently warm.
OTHER NOTES: The WIN 4 has apparently had a name change to PICK 4. Emma-Jayne Wilson, Catherine O'Brien, Michelle Rainford and Chantal Sutherland set up a strong women's divisionin the competitive jockey colony.
To come: WOODBINE pres. DAVID WILLMOT talks about Drug Task Force and Ontario racing Commission's stance as season opens.

FARISH PAYS $200K FOR CAN.BRED

William S. Farish, who has been supporting the Ontario racing industry for several years, bought a Canadian-bred 2-year-old filly at yesterday’s 2nd and final session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales juvenile auction.
Named NITE IN ROME, the dark bay miss is by Harlan’s Holiday out of the Ascot Knight mare Ascot Wedding. The filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Star Engagement and stakes placed Dance Engagement as well as the dam of multiple stakes placed Kabul.
The filly was bought back for $32,000 from last year’s Keeneland Sept. sale.
Continuing his spending spree, Danny Dion’s BEAR STABLES paid $200,000 for a Forest Camp colt out of Authorized Staff, the dam of last year’s Nashua Stakes winner DAY PASS. Dion also paid $45,000 for an Unbridled Time colt.

Last year’s leading trainer by wins, SID ATTARD, paid $32,000 for a dark bay filly by Outofthebox – Dark Champagne, Hooched, a half sister to Grade 1 winner DARK ENDING (Selene S. at Woodbine) and stakes winning filly Champagne Ending.
LYNNE HINDMARSH bought 2 more juveniles - a colt by El Corredor out of Fergie, Sefapiano for $30,000 and a Caandian-bred filly by Salt Lake – Fighting Forty, Fight Over, a half-sister to 3 winners including Get Up Trit.