February 15, 2021
By Woodbine Communications
TORONTO, February 15 – Woodbine Entertainment today announced that it has agreed to prohibit the use of race day Lasix for participants in its three scheduled Breeders’ Cup “Win And You’re In Races” in 2021.
On February 10, Breeders’ Cup announced that this year’s “Win and You’re In” (WAYI) Challenge Series races will be run without Lasix.
The $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile on September 18, and the $400,000 Natalma Stakes (for 2-year-old fillies) and $400,000 Summer Stakes (for 2-year-olds) on September 19, comprise Woodbine’s three Breeders’ Cup WAYI races on the 2021 calendar. The Natalma and the Summer each received significant purse increases from $250,000 the previous year.
Currently, in Ontario, the use of Lasix is allowed, information that is denoted in racing programs and shared with the public.
“We are proud to participate in the Breeders’ Cup WAYI Challenge Series and respect the request of the Breeders’ Cup to make these non-Lasix events,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “We worked hard with our regulators at both the federal and provincial level to accommodate this requirement for this year's world-class Challenge Series events at Woodbine.
“Commitment to the health and safety of our equine athletes and horsepeople remains a top priority for Woodbine Entertainment. We are proud of the highly respected reputation we have earned in the industry in regard to animal welfare, and our willingness to discuss important matters that affect our sport and its participants. We look forward to continuing discussions with our regulators and horsepeople regarding the use of Lasix in horse racing in Ontario.”
Woodbine’s 2021 Thoroughbred season is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 17.
PHOTO: Starship Jubilee and jockey Justin Stein teamed to win the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto on September 19, 2020.
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