VOLUME 2 • ISSUE THREE
SUMMER/FALL 2011
A quarterly publication from Woodbine Entertainment Group
SIDE:
2-3
Jamieson Crowned World Champion.
Woodbine Enjoys Strong First Half.
4-5
Main Entrance Gets Facelift.
Two New Shows at Mohawk.
6-7
inConversation with Bobby Bertrand.
Cash Back a Blast for HPI.
8-9
Don't Miss Our First-Ever Employee
Appreciation Breakfast and Turf Races!
Circle Sunday, September 11th on your
calendars! This fun-filled event for the
whole family will begin at 8:00 am with
a continental breakfast hosted by Sandy
Hawley in Woodbine’s VIP trackside tent.
Remember to bring the kids too! There will
be great entertainment, music and prizes!
When breakfast ends, the on-track fun
begins. Post time for the first United Way
Turf Race is 10:30 am.
Experience the thrill of breaking from the
starting gate and running on Woodbine’s
world renowned E.P. Taylor turf course.
Here’s your chance to challenge defending
champion Nick Eaves in the 1.5-mile race,
or get four colleagues together and enter
a team in the relay event (100 metres for
each leg). Best of all, WEG will match dollar-
for-dollar all monies raised by employees
for this worthy cause.
To register to run in this event go to
www.unitedwaytoronto.com/Woodbine.
For more details, contact Wendy Loiselle
at 416-675-3993 ext.2377 or by email at:
wel@woodbineentertainment.com.
Graded Stakes in Canada Counted in
Breeders’ Cup Point Standings.
Upcoming Events Calendar.
10-11
Kofi Appiah Beats the Odds.
Toronto Horse Day Celebrations.
12-13
Fuelling the Bottom Line 2.0.
Zero Waste to Landfill Update Report.
14-15
Letters from our Community
and Customers.
16
Photo Gallery.
SUMMER/FALL 2011
FORMED and Engaged
Jody Jamieson Crowned
World Champion. Again.
Social
Media
Update
Financial Updates
The new slot expansion area that
opened in the second quarter of 2011
has helped Woodbine slots achieve
better results than any other Ontario
racetrack slot operation. Many thanks
to the employees and contractors who
helped bring this project in on budget
and on time. In total, WEG has invested
over $30-million in the slot expansion
project.
of 169 points to defeat nine other
international driving stars.
Draped in Canada’s colours, Jody
Jamieson won the final leg of the
2011 World Driving Championship
at Yonkers Raceway in New York
after accumulating the most points
at the end of the five-day, 20-race
competition hosted by the United
States Trotting Association. The
34-year-old resident of Moffat, Ont.
earned six wins, three seconds and
one third-place finish for a total
"I can't explain how excited I am to be
the World Driving Champion," said
Jamieson, who previously won the title
in 2001. "I couldn't be prouder. I thought
I was the best driver. I think everyone
thinks they're the best. You have to.
My strategy was to watch videotape.
I watched four or five hours of tape in
preparation for this.”
As defending champion, Jamieson
receives an automatic entry into the
2013 WDC to be held in France. The
World Driving Championship takes
place every other year in conjunction
with the World Trotting Conference.
inTOUCH Congratulates the 2011 Inductees into the
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame:
Bob Burgess
Burning Point
Steve Condren
Dancethruthedawn
Mark Frostad
Invitro
Tammy Samuel-Balaz
Silver Reign
Square Angel
Touch Gold
Westgate Crown
2
We're
Attracting More
Friends, More
Followers and
More Likes
In less than 1 year, WEG is showing
some impressive increases in the
numbers of horse racing fans joining
us on Facebook and following us on
Twitter.
Across-the-board gains include:
• Woodbine Racetrack (Facebook): 4,710 friends – an increase of
1,583 friends (+33%) since the spring
• Mohawk Racetrack (Facebook):
2,674 friends – an increase of
2,300 friends (+86%) since the spring
• Mohawk Dinner Theatre (Facebook): 251 likes – an increase of
64 likes (+25.4%) since the spring
• WEGZ Stadium Bar (Facebook):
876 likes – a new addition to the
social media line-up
• @WoodbineRacing (Twitter):
1,101 followers – an increase of
440 followers (+40%) since the spring
• @MohawkRacing (Twitter):
263 followers – an increase of
100 followers (+38%) since the spring
• @WoodbineResults (Twitter):
136 followers – a new addition to
the social media line-up
• @MohawkResults (Twitter):
57 followers – a new addition to
the social media line-up
Note: To view WEG’s Facebook pages,
you must have a Facebook account.
WEG’s Thoroughbred
Meet Enjoys Strong
First Half
August 11th marked the start of
the second half of Woodbine's live
thoroughbred racing season, and
judging by the first-half wagering
figures released by the company, it has
been a successful meet so far.
All sources betting on the live
Woodbine campaign is up 11.82% on
a wagering handle of $206,056,400,
nearly $22-million over the total bet
through the halfway mark of the 2010
season.
"It's been a good meet so far," said Sean
Pinsonneault, WEG's Chief Operating
Officer. "We continue to see strong
growth in our product in the U.S., while
our home market numbers are steady
over the first half, year-on-year."
Increases in the U.S. on the Woodbine
racing product have been rising this
year, on top of the growth seen last
year. While Woodbine had a number
of new outlets this year which were
not reflective in the early season
comparative and contributed to
the improved results, the broadbased increases suggest the positive
momentum is continuing on the
product.
"The $100k Pick 4 Guarantees offered
on Wednesdays and Sundays have
really resonated with players," added
Pinsonneault. "With the strong response
on these pools, we have been able to
increase the guarantees much earlier
than we anticipated and have also
helped to generate more wagering in the
other pools."
Inglorious, the superstar filly who
captured the Queen's Plate after
winning the Woodbine Oaks,
presented by Budweiser, tops the list of
first-half highlights. All-sources betting
handle on the 152nd Plate card was
$8,768,145, and The Plate race itself
drew $2,973,265. Both figures were
Woodbine records for a non-Breeders'
Cup event.
WEG's live racing has proven very
popular in the U.S. market so far in
2011. Wagering in US$ on WEG live
standardbred and thoroughbred
racing has increased 24% although the
strengthening Cdn$ reduced this to
a net 15% increase. This performance
compares very favourably to the - 7%
thoroughbred pari-mutuel wagering
trend in the U.S.
In our GTA home market area, where
WEG generates the lion's share of its
pari-mutuel commissions, wagering
has declined 2%. Consequently, total
corporate revenue from slots and parimutuel wagering has been relatively
flat so far this year. This is expected to
improve during the second half of the
year as the slot expansion project will
be in full operation throughout this
next six-month period.
Toronto Sun Beefs Up
Racing Coverage
Every Friday, a weekly horse racing
column, covering both breeds, is being
penned by the newspaper’s well-versed
correspondents. Rob Longley’s “Longley’s
Horsin’ Around” and Richard Mauntah’s
“Horseplayer’s Lounge” will be featured.
3
SUMMER/FALL 2011
MOHAWK NEWS FLASH
BEAUTY BLOOMS!
Designed and planted by Anne
Brown of Property Services, the
newly planted "Garden of Hope"
has been a stunning addition
to Mohawk’s main entrance
landscape.
BON APPETITE!
Mohawk Food & Beverage and
Property Service Departments
joined forces to complete
renovations to the Trackside
Lounge. Special thanks to Kenny
Krszwda (F&B), plus Anne Brown
and Tony DelDegan of Property
Services for all their efforts.
POWERING-UP!
The first phase of Mohawk's
$1-million Emergency Generator
Installation is nearing completion.
All of the Grandstand is now on
emergency power. In addition,
this provides back-up to the OLG
emergency generator.
4
TVG Customers
Marvel at
the Giant of
the North
Shoeless Joe’s HorsePlayer
Interactive Zone Now Open
WEG and Shoeless Joe's
Sports Grill have launched
the HorsePlayer Interactive
Zone, allowing fans to watch
and wager on thoroughbred and
standardbred racing at the sportsthemed restaurant's newest location.
"In keeping with WEG's commitment to
provide fans the opportunity to wager
on premium horse racing action, we're
thrilled to form this new relationship with
Shoeless Joe's, one of Ontario’s leading
premier casual dining restaurant chains,"
said Jorge Soares, WEG's Director of
Champions Family
Continues to Grow
Off-Track Operations.
Located in the theatre district at 276
King St. West, just west of Duncan on
the north side of King, large screen
televisions, luxurious couches, great
food and spirits are just some of the
many attractive amenities available to
customers.
MAGNOLIAS
by Robert Harling
September 16 to
October 22
2011
On September 14th, WEG will host the
location’s Grand Opening celebration.
Guests will be offered free $2 Trial Cash
Cards, refreshments, plus a chance to
win great door prizes.
Woodbine’s
North Entrance to
Undergo Major
Facelift
Champions Off-Track Wagering opened
its second fully automated location on
May 11, 2011.
Woodbine’s main customer artery
will see some exciting changes in the
coming months as part of plans to
renovate and update the slot floor.
This replacement site for Mississauga
Chinese Centre is located at 1248
Dundas Street East, and is now called
Champions at Royal Square. It features
over 70 televisions in a 2,300 square
foot area complete with high ceilings,
bench seating, stand-up tables and an
area set aside for customers looking for
more privacy.
Woodbine’s gateway will see the
current slot entrance and exit areas
consolidated into one, mirroring the
entrance located on the slot’s west side
of the Galleria. Construction in the slot
entrance will require some changes to
the Lottery Centre which are expected
to begin in January of 2012.
Owner Stephen Wong has indicated
that wagering has exceeded
expectations and customers have
taken well to this new concept.
Mohawk
Dinner Theatre
Returns with
Two New
Shows
Horseplay a Big
Hit at Mohawk
STEEL
Plans are also being considered to
enhance the 2nd floor entrance by
opening up the area and offering
visitors a better view of Woodbine’s
horse racing amenities as they arrive.
SINNERS
by Norm Foster
November 4 to
December 18
2011
SHOW TIMES
Matinees
Sunday/Wednesday
Buffet 12:00pm - Curtain 2:00pm
Evenings
Friday/Saturday
Buffet 6:00pm - Curtain 8:00pm
TICKET PRICES
$63.99 - Friday evening
$68.99 - Saturday evening
$50.99 - Sunday/Wednesday Lunch
All prices are per person; includes dinner
and show plus all applicable taxes and
gratuities. To book tickets, call Woodbine
Reservations at 1-888-675-7223.
Over 60 horse-loving kids spent a funfilled evening of horseplay at Mohawk
feeding a real race horse, learning
about horseshoes, horse nutrition and
sitting in a real race bike!
The business partnership between
TVG and WEG has resulted in increased
wagering and exposure in the US market
with TVG's television distribution to more
than 30-million homes.
In July, Woodbine again played host to
another set of TVG's most important
customers. "These customers bet
substantially, but had little focus on
Woodbine racing," said Sean Pinsonneault,
WEG's Chief Operating Officer. "We
wanted to expose them to all that
Woodbine has to offer to see if we could
increase their wagering on our racing
products."
The personal Woodbine experience has
proven to be lucrative.
Standardbred Canada partnered with
WEG on the event, which targeted
local Girl Guide troops ranging in age
from 6 to 12.
"We saw that when these customers
experienced our world-class facilities and
were treated to our first-class customer
service, it did result in increased wagering
on our products," added Pinsonneault. "I
want to thank everyone involved in these
visits. They take a lot of planning and
require dedicated execution in order to
achieve such positive results." More visits
by TVG customers are being planned for
this fall.
Scott Zeron welcomed the group
before they headed out to the
tarmac to take part in the one hour
event which featured five interactive
stations including: a demonstration
by Mohawk's blacksmith Stephane
Gauthier; a harness racing primer
by Greg Gangle; a meet and greet
with some of the stars in the sport;
an overview of nutrition by Anjelka
Bosnjak, a veterinarian student at the
University of Guelph, and a look at the
day in the life of a horse courtesy of
the Ontario Standardbred Adoption
Society.
PICTURE
PERFECT!
When racing started, they were glued
to the fence. With their homemade
signs in one hand and an ice cream
cone in the other, they cheered their
new favourite driver, Scott Zeron.
"What a fabulous summer evening out
for the whole family!" said one excited
parent.
The biggest teletheatre in the city
just got a whole lot better with the
installation of 28 brand new 46-inch
LED television sets.
5
SUMMER/FALL 2011
CONVERSATION with BOBBY BERTRAND
Bobby Bertrand is one of horse racing’s true
characters. He is dedicated, loyal, and as
straight a shooter as you’re ever going to
find. Recently, inTOUCH sat down with Bobby
to talk about his 50 years in the industry,
living with cancer and his no-nonsense
approach to life.
Your roots run deep in horse racing. Can
you tell our readers about your family’s
involvement with the race track over
the years?
”My whole family has worked in this industry
at one time or another. My dad worked here for
30-plus years. My mother worked alongside my
dad for as many. My brother and sister worked
here, my uncle worked here, and my brotherin-law works here. The race track has been my
home for as long as I can remember. My dad
was raised on a farm with lots of horses. He
was small so he naturally gravitated to the
race track. Over the years, he became a jockey
and rode at Blue Bonnets. When Blue Bonnets
closed in the early 1960s my dad moved my
mom and us kids to Ontario. My dad worked
here at Woodbine for over 30 years. He started
with the Ontario Jockey Club as a valet. Over
time, he became Custodian of the Jocks room,
and eventually became Clerk of the Scales
which he did until he retired. Even in retirement
you couldn’t get him away from the race track.
He moved to Fort Erie and became their Clerk of
the Scales.”
How many years have you worked at the
racetrack?
”I have been working around the track for 50
years, but I have been working for the Jockey
Club for 46 years. I started working in the
backstretch walking horses as a kid when I was
15. My dad galloped horses in the morning. We
all worked in the mornings to get a double pay
cheque. It seems like yesterday I started my first
job as the number boy at 16. My dad and I were
valets together. He became Clerk of the Scales
and became my boss. I was extremely fortunate
to have worked with my dad every day. He was
a great teacher. I was hoping to work at WEG
for a half of a century but since my diagnosis, I
am not sure how much longer I can do this.”
6
You have been recently diagnosed with
a rare form of blood cancer. How are you
feeling?
”I have been dealing with this disease for a
couple of years, but it is starting to get the
better part of me. They finally diagnosed it as
a rare form of blood cancer. Hundreds of pills a
day are keeping me alive. I am going to begin
taking chemo soon and I am hoping for a
remission. Dying doesn’t bother me. I just don’t
want it to eat me up like it did my dad. He had
stomach cancer and I watched him fade away. I
don’t want that to happen to me. I have a good
attitude about it and I believe I am going to
beat this.”
You took over as the Clerk of the Scales
and replaced your dad Leo. A picture
of him hangs on the wall close by. What
did you learn from your dad that helped
prepare you for the job?
”The best thing my dad taught me was people
skills and how to deal with people. Be firm but
be fair was what he showed me. Have respect
for the riders. Be fair and show no favouritism.
He taught me everything I know and I run the
room like my dad did. When I was asked if I
could run the room, I said “absolutely!”
Most people are interested to know what
is involved in running the Jock’s Room.
What are the skills required for your job?
”People skills. You have to be good at dealing
with people and balancing personalities.
Emotion runs high in here. I have to be able to
calm these “boys” down when their tempers
flare. I had a great compliment paid to me once.
I was told that I have a good way of dealing
with the “jocks.” You know when to apply just
enough pressure so they will do what you
want, but not too much that they push back.
If you ask any of these riders, they will tell you
they have respect for me. I can be tough when
I need to be, but I treat them with respect. One
day I lost my temper and swore at a jockey.
Afterwards, I picked up the phone, called
the Stewards, and asked them to fine me for
disrespecting a jockey. I play by the same rules
as they do. Respect goes both ways.”
What is the best part of your job?
”Working with the people, the different
personalities, especially the riders. They’re such
characters and so colourful. It’s a family in here.
We stick up for each other. We are a closed
community. What happens in the jock’s room,
stays in the jock’s room.”
Your days are long. What does a normal
day look like?
”I am here by 5:00 am every day like clock-work.
I get everything turned on for the riders. I am
at my desk by 7:00 am. Jocks start coming
in around 9:00 am. Program changes start
coming in and the day goes on from there.
I do the Jock’s payroll and oversee the valets. I
am responsible for this room, and everything
that happens in it. It is my job to see that it runs
without a problem. There will never be a holdup from this room. That guy across the hall
(Steve Koch) will never have a problem from
this room. He does not have to worry about
that. That is what he pays me for. I will put in
between 60-70 hours a week.”
If you didn’t work in the horse racing
industry what industry would you like to
work in?
”I would be in policing. I looked into being a
police officer once, but I was too old. But during
the winter months, when I am not working
here, I am an auxillary police officer. I love it. I
work the night shift, 12 hour shifts. I ride around
in the police cruiser. We make traffic stops,
react to calls on the radio. I do everything that a
police officer does. Except carry a gun.”
Who do you admire?
”My dad. But I also admire guys like Sandy
Hawley. I admire him for his talent.”
What interesting thing can you tell us
about yourself that few people will know?
”I’m a pretty open fella. What you see is what
you get. But what people may not know about
me is that I am fascinated with everything to
do with medicine. I watch all kinds of medical
shows, read medical books all the time. I would
have loved to be a doctor. To be able to save
lives, to know that you have someone’s life in
your hands, that is such a gift.”
What is your favourite racing moment?
”Watching Secretariat run at Woodbine. I got
to watch him and touch him. I got to put my
hands on that big chestnut. He was such an
amazing animal. I have seen some good ones in
my day, but he sticks out in my mind.”
When the time comes for you to retire,
what will you do?
”I’m going fishing. I love to go fishing. I am
happiest, when I am fishing. My dad was the
same. It is so relaxing. It calms your mind and
all your problems disappear.”
Bobby Bertrand: Up-Close & Personal
Family:
”My son Scott is 32. He is a service technician
for Lexus. He lives in Orangeville. He has two
beautiful little girls, Sierra 5 and Kayla 3. My
daughter Michelle is 36. She is not married.
She has a great career with Nelvana, a movie
company in Toronto. I raised my kids on my
own since they were 7 and 4 years old. My world
revolves around my kids and grandchildren. My
family is all I have.”
Favourite Meal:
"Liver and Onions"
Favourite Movie:
"Saving Private Ryan"
Bet Night Live
Exceeding
Expectations
Favourite Television Show:
”Anything on the History Channel. I know that’s
not a television show, but it is all I ever watch. I
never watch regular TV shows.”
Favourite Athlete:
"Sandy Hawley. I have known him since he
first started getting on horses. I know what he
has gone through. He is a serious talent. His
record speaks for itself. When you are in the Hall
of Fame on both sides of the border, you got
talent!”
Favourite Sports Team:
"Montreal Canadiens."
Best Advice You Have Been Given?
”Be Honest. Honest about everything. Be
accountable. Admit to your mistakes and deal
with them. If you’re not honest, you can’t be
trusted. Case closed.”
What The Jockey’s Say About Bobby:
”I would call Bobby, "Woodbine's Maestro". From
rainy April until snowy December, year in and
year out, Bobby orchestrates the jockey’s room
with a conductor’s precision. Having the respect
of the 35 competitive jockeys that ply their
trade at Woodbine is no easy task, even on the
best of days. No other professional sport has
the competitors go back into the same locker
room post competition. Yet, Bobby's bubbly
flair and firm and fair attitude is respected by
all whom grace Woodbine's jocks room, be they
internationals visiting or local jockeys. Having
personally known Bobby and his family for 30
plus years, I am proud to have worked beside
him, ridden under his care and control and most
importantly call him friend.”
Robert King Jr., National Secretary Manager
Jockeys' Benefit Association of Canada
What Bobby's Boss Says About Him:
"Bobby Bertrand's desk is the frontside hub
of thoroughbred race day operations and
communications. Bobby's execution of this
responsibility is perfect and reliable. Not only
does Bobby never miss a lick but neither does his
crew and co-workers. The people that surround
Bobby, including the jockeys, are passionately
loyal and respectful of him, and this reflects a
special kind of leadership. No one wants to let
Bobby down because Bobby will NEVER let them
down!
Steve Koch, Vice-President, Thoroughbred
Racing, Woodbine Entertainment Group
5% Cash Back Promo a
Blast for HPI Customers
Continuing to deploy a strategy that
delivers added-value and tailored
offers to customers, a 5% cash back
offer emailed to select HPI members
scored big this June.
A personalized series of three email
blasts featuring a 5% cash back offer
was sent to over 1,400 HPI members
as a reward to stimulate increased
wagering on Woodbine and Mohawk.
Leveraging the Pepsi North America
Cup and Queen’s Plate, this costeffective email blast generated an
additional $226,000 in wagering versus
a year ago, and an impressive 5.8%
redemption rate.
”The email frequency combined with a
personalized offer was key to the success
of this promotion,” said Paul Lawson,
WEG’s Senior Director of Marketing.
“Based on these encouraging results, we
hope to deploy similar campaigns in the
future.”
Since its launch on The Score in
2010, Bet Night Live has lived up
to expectations, of being a mainstream introduction to Woodbine
and Mohawk’s horse racing product.
It showcases racing and wagering in
a more customer-friendly format for
customers new to the sport.
The show, which is supported by
$300,000 of national media coverage,
has proven to be a good return on
investment.
Highlights of results-to-date include:
• 1,106 customers registered for the first contest
• 47 new HPI accounts are opening
per week
• 662 new HPI accounts have been opened year-to-date
• 3,073 contest registrations year-to-
date
• $589,320 total wagered by new accounts in 2011
• over $4-million in total wagered
by new accounts since BNL launched in 2010
To further support these new
customers a new BetNightLive.ca
microsite was designed to streamline
the sign-up process and offer an easyto-use betting interface.
WEG NEWS FLASH
Continuing to expand
its product distribution
globally, WEG racing is now
available to horseplayers in
South Africa.
7
SUMMER/FALL 2011
Upcoming Events Calendar
Graded Stakes in Canada
Now Counted in Official
Breeders’ Cup Point Standings
The Breeders' Cup has announced that
horses finishing first, second or third in
graded stakes races run in Canada will
receive official Breeders' Cup points
toward starting positions in the 2011
Breeders' Cup World Championships.
"Given the high standard of international
competition within Canadian racing, our
‘Racing and Nominations Committee’
strongly recommended that the graded
stakes races in Canada should be
on equal footing with the American
graded stakes races in our over-all
Point standings," said Craig Fravel,
Breeders' Cup President and CEO.
"Canadian breeders and owners have
been an important part of the Breeders'
Cup program since its inception, and
we believe this change will further
encourage Canadian participation in the
Championships."
There are 33 graded stakes races in
Canada scheduled in 2011 to be run
before the Breeders' Cup Pre-Entry
deadline on October 24. All Canadian
graded race results thus far in 2011
will be included retroactively in the
Breeders' Cup point standings.
MORE
BREEDERS’ CUP
NEWS
The 2012 Breeders’ Cup World
Championships will be held at Santa
Anita Park in Arcadia, California on
Friday, November 2 and Saturday,
November 3.
The administration of Lasix will be
prohibited for 2-year-olds at next
year’s Breeder’s Cup and all race-day
drugs will be banned for all Breeder’s
Cup races in 2013.
8
WHENWHAT
WHERE
Among the top graded Canadian races
that will now be eligible for Breeders'
Cup points are:
Saturday, September 3rd
Metro Pace and Canadian Pacing Derby Mohawk
Saturday, September 3rd
Extreme Betting Contest Woodbine, Mohawk, Greenwood, WEGZ
•$250,000 Summer Stakes, Sept. 17
•$200,000 Natalma Stakes, Sept. 17
•$1,000,000 Ricoh Woodbine Mile, Sept. 18
•$500,000 Northern Dancer Turf,
Oct. 16
•$1,500,000 Pattison Canadian International, Oct. 16
•$1,000,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, Oct. 16
•$500,000 Nearctic Stakes, Oct. 16
Sunday, September 11th Woodbine Turf Races to benefit the United Way Woodbine
Sunday, September 11th HBPA Day at Woodbine Woodbine
Friday, September 16th
Community Living North Halton Fundraiser
Mohawk
Saturday, September 17th
"Handicapping the Ricoh Woodbine Mile" with Jim Bannon
Woodbine
Saturday, September 17th Canadian Trotting Classic Mohawk
Sunday, September 18th Ricoh Woodbine Mile
Woodbine
Sunday, September 18th
Extreme Betting Contest
Woodbine, Mohawk, Greenwood, WEGZ
Saturday, September 24th
"Handicapping the Card" Seminar with Steve Crist
Woodbine
Sunday, September 25th Greenwood Thoroughbred Challenge/Seminar with Steve Crist Greenwood
Thursday, September 29th Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Fundraiser
Dundas Square, Toronto
Friday, September 30th
LongRun Gala
Woodbine
Saturday, October 1st
"Road to the Breeders’ Cup" Seminar with Jim Mazur Woodbine
Tuesday, October 11th
CN Tower Stair Climb to benefit the United Way
CN Tower
Sunday, October 16th
Pattison Canadian International Woodbine
Saturday, October 29th
Breeders Crown Woodbine
Saturday, October 29th
Extreme Betting Contest Woodbine, Mohawk, Greenwood, WEGZ
Saturday, October 29th
"Breeders’ Cup Crushing Zone" Seminar with Jim Mazur
Woodbine
Saturday, November 12th
LongRun Day at Woodbine Woodbine
Saturday, November 12th
OSS Super Finals Woodbine
“We are extremely proud of this decision
and the powerful statement it makes to
the horse racing community worldwide
about the integrity and quality of the
Canadian thoroughbred racing industry,”
said Jamie Martin, WEG’s Executive
Vice-President of Racing.
The Breeders' Cup World
Championships, the sports’ premier
global event, consists of 15 races and
purses totaling $26-million, and will be
held November 4-5 at Churchill Downs
in Louisville.
Lou Cavalaris
Marathon
Series Draws
Rave Reviews
Woodbine’s new marathon starter
allowance series which began on July
1st has been well received on the
backstretch.
“We started out with purses higher
than general starter allowance purses
would be” said Steve Lym, WEG’s Racing
Secretary and Director of Racing. “If
it catches fire, we might bump up the
purses next year and make it into a true
series with some bonus money.”
The series is named in honour of Hall
of Fame trainer and former racing
secretary Lou Cavalaris, a champion of
distance racing at Woodbine.
Jim Bannon and 2010
Queen’s Plate Broadcast
Nominated for Gemini
Awards
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has
announced its nominations for the 26th Annual Gemini
Awards which celebrate the best in Canadian English
language television and digital media.
Jim Bannon, WEG Racing Analyst and host of Bet Night
Live on The Score has been nominated as Best Sports
Analyst.
The 2010 Queen’s Plate CBC Broadcast was
nominated for Best Live Sporting Event and Best
Direction in a Live Sporting Event.
Are You Ready To Rock?
Three bands, who have already taken to the WEGZ Stadium Bar stage for the Rock N Brews
Concert Series, have returned to the popular Vaughan destination to go head-to-head against
each other. Three Quarter Stone, Mary Rose Obsession, and Kid Richard will take centre stage for
an encore, but this time an opportunity of a lifetime will be on the line. The acts will vie for a spot in the Band Showdown,
scheduled for Saturday, October 1, and a chance to open for headliner, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker. "The Summer Concert Series
is an exciting new way for us to give our guests, who are typically sports fans, an added layer of entertainment for the summer", said
Chris Mills, General Manager of WEGZ. "We want to build a reputation for being more than just the best place to watch the game.
There has always been a great synergy between sports and music and we knew this was the right fit."
9
SUMMER/FALL 2011
VESTING in our Communities
Wendy Loiselle remembers a younger Kofi
Appiah (far right) participating in WEGsponsored community bike racing events
and attending Children’s Breakfast Clubs.
“He Beat The Odds,
and in a Small Way,
I Hope We Helped.”
Queen’s Plate Saddlecloth Auction
Sets Fundraising Record for LongRun
The 2011 edition of the popular
Queen’s Plate saddlecloth auction to
benefit the LongRun Thoroughbred
Retirement Society was the busiest –
and best – in the fundraising event’s
four year history.
This highly successful annual
fundraiser, which saw the saddlecloths
of all 17 Queen’s Plate starters
auctioned-off over eBay, raised over
$10,000 to help provide Ontario’s
thoroughbreds with a dignified
retirement. The saddlecloth of Queen’s
Plate winning filly Inglorious was
purchased for $4,550.
Initiated four years ago by Jane Holmes
and Steve Koch, this year’s online
auction attracted interest from owners
and trainers as well as horse lovers
and racing fans. It drew winning bids
from as far away as Alberta, Florida and
Ohio. One caring mother purchased
two saddlecloths, one worn by Queen’s
Plate runner-up Hippolytus and the
other sported by Oh Canada, as a
birthday present for her young son
who had fallen in love with the two
horses on Plate day.
On Friday, September 30th, LongRun
will hold its Annual Gala at Woodbine
Racetrack. For event information and
how you can help find good homes for
retired horses, contact LongRun at
416-675-3602 or visit:
www.longrunretirement.com today.
Turf Lounge Hosts White Ribbon Kick-Off Event
10
To help raise awareness of the popular
“Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser,
scheduled for Thursday, September
29th, Turf Lounge hosted the White
Ribbon Campaign’s kick-off event for
the second year in a row. White Ribbon
is the largest effort in the world of men
working to end violence again women.
For more information visit
www.whiteribbon.ca today.
“Ready for Reading” display rolls into Woodbine. Offered by the Toronto Public Library, this full set of free programs, services and resources for
children from birth to five years of age, emphasizes the importance of early literacy and teaches parents and caregivers how to develop important
pre-reading skills in their children. For more information visit www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/readyforreading today.
"Baby Ducks Video" Continues to
Drive Donations to Ducks Unlimited
No one was more surprised – and
proud – to see Kofi Appiah receive his
high school diploma during Pathways
to Education’s first-ever graduation
ceremony at Humber College this past
spring than Wendy Loiselle, WEG’s
Senior Manager of Corporate Social
Responsibility.
Almost a year after it first appeared
on YouTube – immediately going viral
and viewed by over 8-million people –
WEG’s 46-second video of ‘baby ducks
being blown off their feet’ continues to
drive donations to Ducks Unlimited.
In exchange for broadcast rights to the
footage, DuoCreative Communications
of San Francisco, California became
the second company to make a $1,000
“When his name was called, I immediately
remembered him,” said Loiselle. “I
thought to myself, he’s come full-circle.
He did it! He graduated!”
donation to Ducks Unlimited. Earlier
this year, NBC TV aired the video and
donated $1,000 to the Milton Chapter
of Ducks Unlimited. WEG will continue
to work with Ducks Unlimited to help
raise awareness of its commitment to
preserving Canada's wetlands.
Loiselle remembers Kofi as a young boy
attending WEG-sponsored Children’s
Breakfast Clubs and taking part in
community-based bike races. “He was
always willing to try,” she said. “He just
needed a chance and Pathways provided
that opportunity.”
Since the Rexdale program's inception
in 2007, WEG has been a supporter of
Pathways to Education. Pathways has a
proven record of curbing drop-out
rates and getting disadvantaged at-risk
students in priority neighbourhoods
like North Albion into post-secondary
schools.
”We always believe that by partnering
with such wonderful organizations, we
can make a positive difference in our
community and in the lives of youth at-risk
like Kofi,” said Loiselle. “He beat the odds,
and in a small way, I hope we helped.”
Sunrise Executive Director Ann Caine (centre)
is presented with a $3,000 cheque by WEG’s
Jane Holmes and Wendy Loiselle.
WEG Invests in Sunrise
Therapeutic Riding & Learning
Centre to Support Equine
Assisted Therapy
Woodbine Entertainment Group has
made an investment of $3,000 in the
Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning
Centre to sponsor an amazing therapy
horse named Caspian.
WEG Brings Championship Pedigree to
Toronto Horse Day Celebrations
For horse enthusiasts, it was a chance
to get up-close and personal with
a legendary jockey and the most
prestigious trophy in Canadian
thoroughbred racing. To promote
the excitement of thoroughbred and
standardbred racing, Sandy Hawley
and his team brought the Queen’s
Plate trophy to this year’s 3rd annual
Toronto Horse Day festivities at
Exhibition Place in early June.
11
SUMMER/FALL 2011
VESTING in a Greener Tomorrow
Mohawk Tests
New BatteryPowered
Security Camera
A Mohawk pilot project to test the
performance of a battery-charged
security camera is improving parking
lot security without the cost of cabling
and hydro.
With the help of Quinn Digital, WEG
installed the camera and connected
its battery pack into a light post. “This
type of technology has been used very
effectively in public areas in the southern
part of the United States,” explained
Kevin Murphy, WEG’s Director of
Security Operations. The camera’s
battery is charged through the night
drawing power from the pole while it
is in use. During the day, the security
camera operates on the stored battery
power.
“We are very pleased with the way the
camera is operating so far” said Murphy.
“We will continue to test its reliability
during the winter months. If the camera
continues to perform well, we will
consider adding more.”
Smart Commute
Employee
Survey Planned
WEG is actively working with Smart
Commute Pearson Airport Area to
better understand the transportation
needs and challenges of its employees.
The first stage of this new partnership
will be to conduct a Commuting
Survey to help better understand
employee commuting behaviours and
needs.
Look for your copy of this important
transportation survey in the coming
weeks.
Smart Commute Pearson Airport
Area is a Transportation Management
Association (TMA) that works with
employers in the City of Mississauga
and the Pearson Airport Area to help
develop customized transportation
options, programs and services for
their employees.
AS A MAT TE R OF
FACT!
Here are some interesting facts about the paper
in your office. Did you know:
•over its life-span, a single sheet of paper ends
up costing an average of $30
•every year 7.5-billion documents are created
and 15-trillion copies are made
•7% of documents are permanently lost
•the average document is copied 18 times
•90% of business information is still on paper
•misfiled documents cost $120 each
•4-drawer file cabinets cost $25,000 to fill and $2,000 per year to maintain
•$14,000 worth of productivity is lost per worker per year due to their inability to find the data
they require to do their job
Quality Assurance
& Food Safety Goes
Paperless
With the implementation of handheld
devices to record all logs and checklists
as part of WEG’s Food Safety Plan, it is
estimated that 12,500 pieces of paper
per month are now being saved.
That’s a reduction of 150,000 pieces
of paper per year, or the equivalent of
saving 19 trees, which can absorb over
250 pounds of carbon dioxide from the
air we breathe every year!
=
Fuelling the Bottom Line 2.0
“When you consider WEG earns approximately $1 on
every $14 wagered, this rebate has the same direct impact
on our bottom-line as a $64,260 wager,” explained John
12
GROUP
on track to zero w
aste to landfill
UPDATE REPORT
Charting Over-All Prog
ram Performance
In April of this year, WEG
announced its new Zero
Waste to Landfill progra
commitment to the reduc
m. Its two main goals are
tion of waste and to achie
to increase awareness of
ve a 60% diversion rate
excellent results, achievin
the company’s
at all its sites (excluding
g a diversion rate of over
manure/shavings). Moha
40% this past June. Wood
wk is showing
bine’s results on the oth
As a result of these findin
er hand, reflect room for
gs, a waste audit is curre
im
nt
provement.
ly
be
outlining tasks needed in
ing completed. Based on
order to achieve required
the results of this audit,
a
improvements. To join
work plan will be create
how to improve the Ze
WEG’s Green Action Te
d
ro Waste to Landfill pr
am, or if you have any
ogram, please contac
wel@woodbineenterta
su
gg
t
es
W
tions on
en
dy
inment.com
Loiselle at 416- 675-39
93 ext.2377 or via em
ail at:
Expanding ‘Zero Waste
to Landfill’ Program to
Launched in partnership
Woodbine Barn Areas
with its recycling compan
y U-Pak Disposals, new co
were installed into emplo
lour-coded waste bins, ma
yee and customer facing
de from recycled plastic
areas at Woodbine and Mo
to diverting waste from lan
bottles,
hawk in April. “We have
dfill,” says Eddie Stutz, W
made great strides in our
EG’s Senior Vice-Presiden
have a role to play in tha
com
mitment
t of Operations. “However,
t. Employees and custome
our goal is to reduce waste
rs in the grandstand are
involved.” In the coming
, and we all
doing their part. Now we
weeks, this new source se
’re asking everyone in the
paration program will be
• colour-coded bins will
backstretch to get
expanded to all Woodbin
be added to Woodbine’s
e barn areas. Highlights
Maintenance Building, ne
Pavilion and Standard
include:
w
Do
bred Paddock
rmitory, East Gate Securit
y, Race Office, Stable Kit
• posters explaining wh
chen, Sales at materials are acceptab
le in each recycling strea
m will be posted
A similar recycling progra
m will be added to Moha
wk’s barn area in the comi
please contact Gino Ga
ng months. If you have
etan at ext. 2275 or via
questions about this
email at: GAG@woodbi
new program,
neentertainment.com
Quarterly Results For
Printing Race Program
”Nothing wasted, plenty
s On Demand
gained” sums-up the im
pressive results to date of
in 2011, developed in pa
WEG’s innovative approac
rtnership with Ricoh Cana
h to printing race progra
da. Since March, the comp
with its own-use reductio
ms ‘on demand’
any has reduced program
n by an additional 33,10
returns by 215,918 copie
9
co
pies, a total of 249,027 few
same period a year ago.
s. Combined
Over the past five-mont
er unsold race programs
hs, the financial savings
have been printed comp
and environmental impa
ared to the
The Financial Impact is:
ct of these reductions ha
s been significant.
• 2-million pieces of pape
r avoided (the equivalent
of 10 tonnes) and a cost• $300 in recycling costs
savings of $13,500
avoided
• 48,800 kilometres saved
in daily program delivery
and $7,320 in fuel saving
s
Leading Electronics an
*
Can a natural gas rebate cheque in the amount of $4,590
be worth the same to the Corporation as $64,260 in
wagering?
THE WOODBINE
ENTERTAINMENT
Marhong, WEG’s Director of Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency.
The Union Gas rebate was an additional bonus received by
WEG for reducing its natural gas consumption, and serves as
a powerful example of the company’s ongoing commitment
to increase energy efficiencies and savings to drive economic
sustainability.
d Battery Recycling Co
To further the responsibl
mpanies Join WEG
e diversion of its retired
electronic items and used
recycling companies.
batteries, WEG has partn
ered with two of the coun
try’s premier
Sims Recycling Solutio
ns of Mississauga, one of
th
e
mo
solution for its electronic
st advanced e-waste rec
waste disposal. “They ha
ycling facilities in the wo
ve a global reputation as
rld, provides WEG with a
David Brockie, WEG’s Dir
an environmental leader
responsible
ector of Purchasing and
in
div
Procurement. Any electr
erting hazardous material
the disposal of e-waste
ica
s,”
l
ite
said
m
with a plug can be recycl
, please contact Dave
ed. To make arrangem
Brockie directly at ex
tension 2246.
ents for
When WEG went looking
for a recycling solution for
its used batteries, it disco
of hazardous waste unde
vered that only one comp
r the authority of the Mi
any in Canada recycles th
nistry of the Environment.
international leader and
is type
Raw Materials Compa
pioneer in the field of wa
ny Inc. located in Port Co
ste and resource recycling
off or forwarded to Jo
lbo
rn
e is an
.
Al
l old batteries earmar
se Costa in Central Stor
ked for disposal can be
es.
dropped
Remember to
Reduce, Reus
e and Recycle
13
SUMMER/FALL 2011
APPRECIATION of Excellence
SENT TO NICK EAVES:
Due to extreme heat
conditions, Woodbine
cancelled its live
thoroughbred racing
card on Thursday,
July 21st. Horse
racing fans agreed
via Facebook and
commended WEG for
its decision.
"On behalf of our entire family, I wish to
congratulate you and your team for a wonderful
2011 Queen’s Plate Day enjoyed by my husband
and our two young boys. It’s been a few years since
we have been to Woodbine and it was the first time
we brought our children, ages nine and ten. With so
much to see and do, they were in and out of their
seats most of the day and they loved every minute
of it. Seeing the horses and jockeys up close in the
paddock area and walking ring was a special treat,
as was standing by the rail to watch the races and
visiting the Horse Racing Hall of Fame, a first for
us too! As a family that is active in helping those in
need and as a parent concerned about providing a
brighter future for today’s youth, I was impressed to
read how Woodbine is giving back to the community
and doing its part to protect the environment.
Your leadership, generosity and commitment to
conducting business with a strong moral compass is
to be admired, respected and commended."
Sincerely,
Cynthia Moirra & Family
"Thank you for your letter of March 25, 2011 and for
sending a copy of the 2010 Woodbine Entertainment
Group Corporate Social Responsibility Report. As
Minister of the Environment, I am pleased to receive
this material and was particular happy to see your
group's focus on sustainable practices. I commend
the corporate leadership that your business has
shown in reducing energy and water consumption,
diverting organic waste from landfill and reducing
the carbon footprint at your facilities. Your efforts
will go a long way toward helping our government
to achieve its environmental goals. Thank you,
again, for sharing this information with me,
please keep up the good work."
Sincerely,
John Wilkinson
Minister of the Environment
"On Sunday, May 29, 2011 a sell-out crowd of over
280 guests enjoyed a superlative afternoon of dining
and racing in the Woodbine trackside tent in support
of Youth Without Shelter. In this our third year in the
tent an estimated net revenue of $36,000 was raised.
Thank you for being an integral part of this success.
We would like to extend a warm acknowledgement
to Wendy Loiselle and Kathy Walduck who provided
terrific hands-on volunteer support. In this our 25th
year of operation, we are committed more than ever
to providing the support that homeless youth need
to reach their full potential. Our heartfelt gratitude
to you for believing in the unlimited potential of
homeless youth."
Best Regards,
Wendy Horton, CAE Executive Director,
Judy Leroux, Development Manager.
Youth Without Shelter
SENT TO JULIE BELL:
"As a fourth generation horse breeder from Japan,
I would respectfully like to express my gratitude to
you for supporting the charitable project "Hats-Off
for Japan." Your donation will help and encourage
people working for horses in the hazardous zone
close to the six nuclear power station in Fukushima
Prefecture and be used by Minami Soma City, North
East Japan Scholarship Funds for Orphans and the
Japan Retired Horse Association."
Sincerely yours,
Naoya Yoshida, D.V.M.
Winchester Farm
Lexington, Kentucky
LETTER TO PAUL LAWSON
"I had a great time on my visit to Woodbine, and
every part of it -- the book signing, the seminar, the
TV appearances -- went smoothly, thanks to the
professionalism of the people in the media
department. Wendy Muir arranged the schedule with
military precision and never let me out of her sights.
The fans were terrific too, attentive and gracious.
Too many tracks with slot machines lose interest in
their racing product, and it was heartening to see that
Woodbine is so committed to promoting the sport."
Regards,
Andy Beyer
A horse racing expert and columnist for the Washington Post,
Andy has written four books, including "Picking Winners",
which introduced and explained Beyer Speed Figures.
“The private sector has an important role to play
in furthering a sustainable future for Canada, and
I am pleased that your company is demonstrating
a commitment to carrying out its operations in an
environmentally responsible way. I have forwarded
your Corporate Social Responsibility report to
departmental officials for their information, and
encourage you to continue in your efforts to green
your company’s activities.”
The Honourable Peter Kent, P.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment
14
15
FOCUS and Inspired
TAKING STEPS TO SUPPORT THE GUELPH HUMANE SOCIETY.
Mohawk security officer Chris Pomay put his best foot forward and walked
with Buttercup the Beagle in support of the shelter’s recent Wiggle Waggle
Walkathon charity event.
RIDERS RAISE AW
ARENESS AND
FUNDS TO HELP
CONQUER CANC
Randy Folmes (D
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ire
ctor of Informat
Steve and Mike
, takes a break in ion Technology) left, along
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this year ’s Ride
to Conquer Canc front of Niagara Falls after raisi th friends
ng $8,652 in
er event.
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Computer Liter red from left to right
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The Filipino Cent ed computers donated by WEG by de Villa, Tito Adona (HPI
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received refurb endy Arenas, Mercy Maliglig,
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are FC T officers Almaria.
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TITO AD
INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED ACTOR GETS STAR TREATMENT AT
WOODBINE.
Anil Kapoor, star of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire and TV’s “24”
is joined by Ann Scott (Director of Events and Sponsorship) during his recent
visit to Woodbine.
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE THREE • SUMMER/FALL 2011
Woodbine Entertainment Group
555 Rexdale Blvd., Toronto, ON M9W 5L2
www.woodbineentertainment.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR – Jane Holmes
EDITOR – Wendy Loiselle
Send feedback to:
intouch@woodbineentertainment.com
By moving to environmentally responsible paper for inTOUCH, which combines
FastTracks and Backstretch News, Woodbine Entertainment Group has saved 16
mature trees, conserved 30,790 litres of wastewater and avoided 1,085 kilograms of
CO2. Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Defence
Paper Calculator. For more information visit www.papercalculator.org.