Having split North America into two distinct countries – United States and Canada – the review of Canadian racetracks will be undertaken first on a province by province basis. This is the sixth article dealing with the province of Ontario, Canada’s busiest as regards harness racing.
ONTARIO’S CURRENT RACETRACKS – series C
Rideau Carleton Raceway –
Gloucester is a suburb in the City of Ottawa established in 1792 and originally included lands east of the Rideau River from the Ottawa River south to Manotick. Incorporated as a township in 1850 becoming a city in 1981.
The five eighths mile Rideau Carleton Raceway and gambling complex is located at 4837 Albion Road in Gloucester beginning operations in September 1962. In 1998, it became the site of the Gloucester Fair (now the Capital Fair). The raceway includes restaurants and provides facilities for numerous charitable fundraisers, musical performances and hosts annual events for several embassies.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) introduced slot machines to the venue in 2000 expecting to draw annual revenue of $130 million. The Raceway operations are currently operated by 51% owner Hard Rock who were handed the keys on 12 September 2017.
The racetrack is situated on three hundred acres on the outskirts of Ottawa two miles from the airport in Gloucester Township. The brainchild of James William Baskin, Rideau Carleton opened for racing on 1 September 1962. Developed by architect and building director D’Arcy Helmer, he drew inspiration from the facilities at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio having never previously visited a racetrack.
The cost of the track was $750,000 and the grandstand and clubhouse were completed at a cost of $841,000. This included twelve fireproof barns plus ninety six tack rooms and a restaurant for horsepersons. The track went into receivership at the end of its first season predominantly due to a run of bad weather impacting operations. However Rideau Carleton is due to celebrate its sixtieth anniversary this year, 2022.
The oval track has a speed rating of 1:57.4, about average for a five eighths mile track. Around eighty live race meetings are scheduled each season running from February to December – racing every Thursday at 4:00pm and Sunday at 6:30pm. Rideau Carleton Raceway offers an off track betting site with simulcasts of harness and thoroughbred racing from across Canada and around the world, daily from 11am to 11pm.
Most races are for stakes of under $10,000, however stakes are higher when several legs of the Ontario Sires Stakes programme are featured which occurs annually in August and from 1982 – 2012 the track hosted the Des Smith Classic. In 2006 Lis Mara set a Canadian 5⁄8-mile track record of 1:49.3US, a record broken in the 2011 renewal by Lis Mara’s brother Lisagain (Sylvain Fillon) pacing the mile in 1:49.2US which remains the pacers track record. The trotters mark is held by PL Notsonice, T1.52.4 established in 2020.
In 2017, Carleton Raceway joined the Standardbred Alliance, Ontario’s racetrack association. Led by Woodbine Entertainment, the Standardbred Alliance members represent a three-tier racing hierarchy, ‘Grass Roots’ (Clinton and Hanover Raceways), ‘Signature’ (Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway, The Raceway at Western Fair and Rideau Carleton Raceway) and ‘Premier’ (Mohawk and Woodbine Racetracks). Woodbine Entertainment has been responsible for management and administration of the Standardbred Alliance since its launch in 2014.
Rideau Carleton Casino provides all the normal facilities expected in such establishments ranging from over thirty five live Las Vegas style table games including Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Texas Hold’em etc; one thousand two hundred slot machines; Pulse Arena combining electronic table games and live dealers, open 24/7 Thursday to Sunday; five Texas Hold’em Poker tables and playing online at the Hard Rock Social Casino between visits to the Rideau Carleton Casino.
Dining options at Rideau Carleton include The Clubhouse, a fixed price menu for daily lunch or dinner featuring a wide selection of cuisines and desserts. Caffe Italiano provides a modern dining experience. The YOUYU Noodle Bar located in the high limit games area offers freshly made noodles, savoury broths, rice wraps, fried wontons and BBQ specialties inspired by Asian street food. The Constant Grind Bistro is a coffeehouse specialising in assorted coffees and espresso drinks, quick snacks and fresh baked pastries. Part coffeehouse, part restaurant, Constant Grind also serves up grilled paninis, hot dogs, pizza, build-your-own-sandwiches and energy drinks to go, open 7am – 3am daily close to the casino floor. The Rendez – vous Lounge Bar cocktail menu features both local favourites and premium spirits.
Woodbine Mohawk Park –
Campbellville is a compact rural community in the geographic township of Nassagaweya in the town of Milton, regional municipality of Halton, Ontario, on the Niagara Escarpment and a tourist destination for residents of the Greater Toronto Area.
The Woodbine Mohawk Park track (originally named Mohawk but renamed in April 2018 when Woodbine reverted to thoroughbreds), located in Campbellville and owned by the Woodbine Entertainment Group, formerly called the Ontario Jockey Club, is approximately 30kms west of the company’s other racetrack, Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto (thoroughbreds). Woodbine Mohawk Park also features Elements Casino with more than one thousand slot machines and higher stakes room. Some of the revenue from the casino operation is used to increase the horseracing stakes.
Originally opening as a five eighths track on 26 April 1963 called Mohawk, a new egg shaped seven eighths of a mile limestone track was opened in 1998. While it can accommodate ten starters behind the mobile, from 2020 the tenth horse was placed in the second tier behind the horse drawing the inside position on the front line. The home straight is 1,095 feet long (334m) with the far turn having a larger radius than the clubhouse turn to encourage acceleration into the home straight and does not feature a hubrail. Racing is regularly held throughout the year on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays commencing at 7pm – some race days have special post times such as for North America Cup night.
A brief history of some the significant events in the Mohawk tracks history follows :
1963 –
In the early 1960s, the Ontario Jockey Club (OJC) announced plans to build a new harness racing facility in Southern Ontario. It opened the Mohawk track on 26 April 1963 before a crowd of 4,338. Constructed at a cost of $3.5 million, it included barns for 828 horses and car parking for three thousand. The four hundred acre site provided plenty of space for expansion of the stables, grandstand and parking areas that would be required as patronage at the new track increased.
1970 –
On 18 April a record crowd of 11,470 attended the International Drivers Competition (inaugural World Drivers Championships; overall winner Canada’s Herve Filion) at Mohawk Racetrack one of the venues featuring eight drivers from seven different countries – two from USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Austria and West Germany.
1997 –
Mohawk proudly hosted for the first time eight Breeders Crown races on an October evening race card making it the richest event in Canadian harness racing history.
1998 –
Paid admission was eliminated at all OJC racetracks and the five-eighths mile track is enlarged to seven eights mile track.
1999 –
Multi-million dollar facelifts of Woodbine and Mohawk began in preparation for the introduction of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corporation’s “Slots at Racetracks” programme. Mohawk unveiled its new 750 machine slots area, a race book featuring simulcast racing from across North America and in August refurbishment of dining areas.
2012 –
OLG announces termination of the Slots at Racetracks programme resulting in a year of unprecedented change and uncertainty for the horse racing industry in Ontario.
2013 –
Mohawk Racetrack celebrates its 50th anniversary and Canada’s richest harness race, Pepsi North America Cup celebrates its thirtieth anniversary (first run at Mohawk in 2011 and ever since) being broadcast in high definition for the first time.
2016 –
The Pepsi North America Cup set records for attendance and the highest single card betting figure in the history of Mohawk.
2017 –
In June Woodbine Entertainment announced Woodbine Mohawk Park would be home to year round standardbred racing benefiting from more than $10 million in capital upgrades. The Mohawk grandstand and paddock were winterized and improvements made to the dining room and VIP suites among other upgrades. Rebranding included a new red logo and renaming of the harness track to Woodbine at Mohawk Park.
Monday evening 14 August hosted the second leg of the World Driving Championship : winners were Finnish driver Mika Forss who completed three wins and Canadian James MacDonald (ultimate winner of WDC) won the other heat all were run over a mile.
2018 –
New gaming service providers, OGGTA (Ontario Gaming GTA Limited Partnership) and OGGW assume control of the gaming operations from the OLG at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
April 2018 Woodbine Mohawk Park became principal Ontario harness track following cessation of harness racing at Woodbine.
2019 –
Woodbine Mohawk Park’s inaugural first full season of live harness racing began on Saturday 5 January with the company announcing a $6 million expansion project for the standardbred race paddock.
Woodbine Mohawk Park hosted all twelve Breeders Crown final races in the same year for the first time. A Canadian betting record of $6,678,779 was handled on Breeders Crown evening. The inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge was won by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society taking home $109,484 as part of a Woodbine Cares record one time donation of $282,996 in donations to five local charities.
Mohawk offers a complete entertainment package with exciting year round high energy happenings from harness racing to family fun such as fireworks and family fun nights; country rock concerts; seminars; holiday celebrations and much more.
Some of the more significant Woodbine Mohawk Park track records include :
Pacers –
Three year old colts and geldings – 1:47.2US Captain Crunch, dr Scott Zeron, tr Nancy Takter; 15 June 2019
Mare – 1:48.0US Anndrovette, Tim Tetrick/PJ Fraley; 20 July 2013
Horse/Gelding – 1:46.4US Dr J Hanover, Doug McNair/Tony Alagna; 3 June 2017
Trotters –
Three year old colts and geldings – T1:51.3US shared by Trixton (Jimmy Takter tr/dr; 14 June 2014); Camepa Hanover (Yannick Gingras/Jimmy Takter; 12 June 2015) and Dont Letem (Yannick Gingras/Nancy Johansson; 19 October 2019) Three year old filly – T1:51.3, Sorella, Yannick Gingras/Nancy Takter; 28 August 2020 Mare – T1:50.3US Hannelore Hanover, Yannick Gingras/Ron Burke; 7 June 2019
Horse/gelding – T1:50.2 Atlanta, Yannick Gingras/Ron Burke; 15 June 2019
Signature races at Woodbine Mohawk Park include :
- Pepsi North America Cup over one mile for North America’s finest three year old pacers for a stake of CA$1,000,000, Canada’s richest harness race (Mohawk Million 2yo trotters has equal prizemoney); thirty ninth edition in June 2022, first run in 1984 at Greenwood Raceway until 1993, 1994 – 2006 at Woodbine while Mohawk hosted the event for the first time in 2007 and ever since. Chronicle of winners is a who’s who of some of the continent’s finest three year pacers
- Canadian Trotting Classic run in September is Canada’s richest trotting race for three year old trotters over one mile for a stake of $600,000. It has been won by many of the sport’s greatest trotters such as Father Patrick, Muscle Hill, Deweycheatumnhowe and Kadabra while What The Hill currently holds the race record at T1:51.4US. The forty seventh edition will be held in 2022, commencing in 1976 and run at Mohawk since Kadabra’s success in 2002
- Canadian Pacing Derby run in September for the fastest and most powerful Free For All pacers (3yo and up) over one mile with a stake of $600,000 having been first run in 1936 when held at the Fountain Park track in New Hamburg (1936 – 1957); not run 1958 – 1964; Greenwood Raceway (1965 – 1993); Woodbine (1994 – 1998; 2002 – 2004); Mohawk/Woodbine Mohawk 1999 – 2001 and ever since 2005. The eighty first running takes place in 2022
- Maple Leaf Trot run in September for trotting horses of all ages over one mile for a stake of $600,000, first run in 1950 at Thornville racetrack (1950 – 1953), Greenwood Park (1954 – 1993; not run 1955, 1956; raced twice 1975); Woodbine (1994 – 2001) and Mohawk/Woodbine Mohawk since 2002. The seventy third edition will be run in 2022
- Metro Pace a one mile race for two year-old pacers that has been run for over $1 million on three occasions – Mach Three (2001), Simply Business (2011), Captain Treacherous (2012). The race record of 1:49.1US was set by Tall Dark Stranger in 2019
- Nassagaweya Pace for two year old pacers
- She’s A Great Lady Stakes for two year old pacing fillies
- Oakville Stakes/renamed Peaceful Way in 2008 (prior to 1994 Autumn Stakes) for 2-year-old filly trotters
- William Wellwood Memorial Trot (prior to 2005 Campbellville Stakes) for two year old colt and gelding trotters
- Mohawk Million for two year old trotters for $1m – slots to race are purchased; first run in 2020
- Fan Hanover Stakes for three year old filly pacers
- Elegantimage Stakes for three year old filly trotters with a stake of $375,000
- Milton Stakes for fillies and mares
- Roses Are Red for fillies and mares
Mohawk has been a regular host of Breeders Crown events, the annual series of harness races in the United States and Canada covering each of the sport’s twelve traditional categories of age, gait and gender (two year old/three year old pacing colts/geldings, fillies; trotting colts/geldings, fillies and older horses – pacing entires/geldings, mares; trotting entires/geldings, mares). Breeders Crown at Mohawk :
- 1984 – 2yo filly trot
- 1985 – 3yo colts and geldings trot
- 1988 – 3yo colts and geldings pace
- 1992 and 1993 – all four open age group races
- 1996 – all two year olds (4)
- 1997 – all two and three year olds (8)
- 2000 – all two and three year olds (8)
- 2005 – all four open age group races
- 2007 and 2008 – all four open age group races
Since the change to a one night Breeders Crown format in 2010, Woodbine Mohawk Park hosted all twelve Breeders Crown races in 2019.
Woodbine Mohawk Park has been privileged to feature a number of very speedy performers including a dozen pacers who have bettered or equalled 1:48 – Dr J Hanover 1:46.4US fastest and includes NZ bred The Devils Own in 1:48.0US, 22 August 2020. Sub 1:51 trotters include Atlanta T1:50.2US, Hannalore Hanover T1:50.3US and Mister Herbie T1:50.4US. Eleven two year old pacers have bettered or equalled 1:50 including Tall Dark Stranger and A Rocknroll Dance, both in 1:49.1US.
Dining Options are many and varied at Woodbine Mohawk Park. They include – –
Terrace Dining Room – trackside buffet in a light filled dining room located near the finish line with racetrack views through floor to ceiling windows. Chefs creations including sizzling prime rib, grilled or pan-seared fish and seafood, crisp garden salads and seasonal roasted vegetable plus decadent desserts.
Open Friday and Saturday Nights from 6pm with first races at 7pm. Tiered seating for up to three hundred and sixty persons, each table having its own 22″ TV monitor with pari mutual and wireless betting available.
Mohawk Harvest Kitchen – located next to the more formal Terrace dining room in an open concept lounge and patio providing drinks and dining overlooking the track. Panorama views of the harness racing action with an a la carte menu and daily specials until the start of the sixth race with seating for up to 95 patrons indoors and 96 outdoors. Complimentary programmes with 22” TV monitors located at tables in the indoor lounge.
Trackside Bar and Patio – casual hearty pub style meals and beverages dining on a first floor patio close to the racing action
Railside BBQ – Grilled fare in the fresh air with close up viewing of live racing – fire-grilled burgers, hotdogs and refreshments. Open Fridays and Saturdays 6pm – 11pm during live racing only (weather permitting)
Corona Deck Bar – premium drinking location located right beside the finish line. Savoury meats and yummy treats are available just steps away at the Apron trackside BBQ. Open during live racing 6.30pm–10 minutes before second last race.
Tim Hortons coffee shop
Concessions where fast foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, soft drinks, juice, bottled water, coffee, tea available during live racing only
VIP Suites – semi private suites for corporate events, entertaining clients and socializing with custom menus and dedicated services. The luxurious suites can accommodate groups of fifteen to fifty offering panoramic views of the racetrack with a locally sourced menu featuring fresh and flavourful culinary delights.
The Woodbine Mohawk Park VIP Suites are similar to a corporate box experience at a major sporting event. Custom menus, dedicated service within your suite, TV monitors and in suite betting terminals available, complimentary race day programmes for guests.
Elements Casino at Woodbine Mohawk Park boasts more than one thousand games, restaurants, lounges and accessible facilities available 24/7. There are games with betting options for all levels such as
- More than one thousand slot machines including popular choices: Blazing 7’s, Cleopatra, Carnival of Mystery, Double Diamond, 10 Times Pay, 5 Times Pay, Poker Slot Games and Fort Knox
- Affordable 1 cent slots including Enchanted Unicorn, Jackpot Party, White Orchid and Money to Burn
- Higher stakes room: High Limit Slots feature higher denomination machines for $1 to $5 bets including Wheel of Fortune, Blazing 7’s and Double Diamond, 5 Times Pay & 10 Times Pay
Casino dining options include :
GR8 Burger Company, located on the second level of the casino serving a wide range of handcrafted, original signature burgers plus “build your own” options. Open Sunday to Thursday: 6pm-11pm, Friday, Saturday: 6pm–2am.
Oscars Lounge, located at the east end of the slots floor offers a quick meal – pizza, burgers and/or slow drink with hot breakfasts Monday – Wednesday and live entertainment on weekends. Open daily 9am–1.30pm.
Long Shots Bar, open daily 8.30am to 12.30am, located at the west end of the slots floor, offering five large screens to watch simulcast racing or keep up with sports scores together with light snack selections.
Next Article : USA Tracks series begins – state by state. Introduction, Arizona/Connecticut.
Peter Craig
29 June 2022
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
