Woodbine Racetrack Cancels June 6 Racing Due to Poor Air Quality
TORONTO, June 6, 2025 – Woodbine Entertainment announced the cancellation of Friday’s live racing card at Woodbine Racetrack due to poor air quality in the Toronto area. Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index rated the region as “High Risk,” a condition expected to persist throughout the day, prompting the decision to prioritize the health and safety of horses and racing participants.
The cancellation, made in consultation with the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), aligns with AGCO’s air quality guidelines, which advise suspending racing when air quality reaches hazardous levels. Smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, and western Canada has been cited as a primary contributor to the degraded air quality.
This marks a recurrence of air quality-related disruptions at Woodbine, with similar cancellations occurring in June 2023 when Canadian wildfires caused widespread haze across North America, affecting racetracks like Belmont Park and Laurel Park. In 2023, Woodbine also canceled racing on June 8 due to a “High Risk” air quality alert, reflecting a pattern of proactive measures to protect equine and human health.
Woodbine Entertainment emphasized that the decision was made to safeguard all involved, stating, “This cancellation has been made in the best interests of the health and safety of our horses and racing participants.” The racetrack will continue to monitor air quality conditions and provide updates as needed.
Live racing is scheduled to resume Saturday, June 7, at 1:05 p.m. EDT, featuring the $125,000 Fury Stakes, a key prep race for 3-year-old fillies foaled in Canada. The race, headlined by Mark Casse’s standout filly Shifty, is expected to draw significant attention as part of a 10-race card.
The broader context of air quality issues underscores the increasing impact of wildfires on outdoor activities in North America. In 2023, tracks across the U.S. and Canada, including Finger Lakes, Delaware Park, and Penn National, faced similar cancellations due to smoke from over 400 wildfires in eastern Canada. The Air Quality Index (AQI), as reported by airnow.gov, considers levels above 150 “unhealthy,” with Toronto’s AQI exceeding this threshold on June 6, 2025.
Woodbine Racetrack, a cornerstone of Canadian thoroughbred racing, hosts a robust 2025 season with 39 graded stakes, including the prestigious King’s Plate. Fans can follow updates on the Woodbine website or through platforms like HPIbet.com and bet365.com for wagering and race information.
For further details on the cancellation or upcoming races, visit woodbine.com.
