FLASHY FRIDAY

Short note this morning but more news later this evening..busy, busy!
WOODBINE up and running again today on a glorious Friday - almost 20 celcius out there.

Woodbine's card, plus a Canadian-bred update and previews of tomorrow's stuff all over the place will be added later today/this evening...feel free to submit comments/questions about the racing that is going on anywhere!
Thanks to those of you who continue to contribute.
For the record, I see many have been discussing track announcers, always a popular topic (just look at some of the forums out there). Everyone has a opinion and a taste for announcers (although I believe that NO ONE could listen to Frasier Downs). I too have my own tastes and I like Mr. Loiselle at Woodbine. My test is if I can listen to a race without seeing it, do I know what's happening?
Let's move on to more current topics now...current racing and issues. Don't be afraid to speak up!

POLYTRACK/TURF QUESTIONS

I reader, Mr. Griffiths, sent a nice note (yesterday's post) and asked about whether the races may come off the grass more frequently with Polytrack now in place - since the fields will likely remain full.
I think there is no question that will be the inclination and that is unfortunate. I hope that I am wrong and since the races come off the grass at alarming frequency anyway (at least in 2006 they did), perhaps it can't be any worse. It has been frustrating as a bettor and fan to see the turf course open many years ago and hear about the great drainage and then have so many races come off. Indeed, the backstretch of the course is the old course and does get quite soft, but there is no question the races come off the turf too frequently. Let's hope that is not the case again in 2007.


WOODSTOCK STAKES NO. 109 – Tomorrow at Woodbine

Thanks to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for providing notes on the Woodstock Stakes. Named after the south-western Ontario town that housed many of the top stables in the 1870s and 80s, Woodstock racetrack also held the 16th running of the King’s Plate in 1875.
John Forbes, owned of Woodstock’s largest hotel and livery stable contributed $100 towards the $400 purse for the Woodstock Plate at (Old) Woodbine in 1885. Then, it was a race for 3-year-olds that had not won a race at 2. Curtolima was the first winner.
The Woodstock has had an interesting history as it was first run at 1 1/8 miles and was shortened many times until its current distance of 6 furlongs. Popular winners of the race include subsequent Queen’s Plate winners Lyford Cay, Whistling Sea and Wando.