The scene is almost set for another thrilling running of the Mohawk Million, as this week, Woodbine Entertainment revealed slot owners. Ontario’s leading horse racing operator has now revealed that all nine slots that were available via the buy-in format have been purchased. Meanwhile, the last tenth slot is to be determined by the winner of the William Wellwood Memorial.
The Mohawk Million card is one of the most anticipated ones in the harness racing industry, and it will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the operator’s Woodbine Mohawk Park. It features over CA$3.3 million in purses including the CA$850,000 Metro Pace, CA$600,000 Canadian Trotting Classic, CA$540,000 Shes A Great Lady and CA$375,000 Elegantimage.
Slot Owners Released
In an announcement from Monday, February 27, 2023, Woodbine Entertainment shared all nine slot owners for the Mohawk Million. Slots have been purchased by Anthony Lombardi, Courant Inc., Determination, Ecurie CSL, Gino Toscani, Greg Luther, and Hunterton Farms & Partners. It should be also elaborated that Determination and Gino Toscani have bought two slots each.
This year’s edition of the prestigious event for two-year-old trotters will be the fourth one, and it will be contested at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Each of the nine slots costs CA$100,000. Meanwhile, the last slot will be awarded to the winner of the William Wellwood Memorial which is scheduled for August 26, 2023.
The deadline for the purchase of a slot was until February 15, 2023, and all nine were sold in time. Now, the owner will not be required to name a two-year-old trotter for the CA$1 million race until entry time, and the slot can be sold, traded, or given as a lease. Each owner was required to pay CA$50,000 by the February 15 deadline, while the rest should be provided prior to June 1, 2023.
Shortly after its Mohawk Million announcement, the operator announced that it had to cancel its Monday evening live racing card after five races. This was due to the unfortunate weather conditions of heavy snow and high winds. Live racing is now scheduled to continue as normal on Thursday evening at the track with a post time of 7 p.m.
On top of the exciting Mohawk Million, its full stakes calendar for the season features a total of CA$15 million. Its season is highlighted by the Pepsi North America Cup for three-year-old pacers which will be contested on Saturday, June 17, 2023. The card will also contain the CA$450,000 Fan Hanover, the CA$330,000 Roses Are Red, the CA$250,000 Armbro Flight, the CA$250,000 Goodtimes and more.
Saying Farewell to a Valuable Servant
Meanwhile, last week, Woodbine Entertainment said goodbye to a long-term on-air personality Chad Rozema. He will now depart from the operator and will seek a career as Raceway Manager at Grand River Raceway. He has served as a trusted host and analyst for the group’s network coverage for over a decade. His last appearance on the network is now set for the end of March 2023.
Source: “Slot owners revealed for 2023 Mohawk Million” Woodbine Entertainment, February 27, 2023