The Weekly Roundup – (April 5-9)

TORONTO, April 10, 2018 – That’s all she wrote.

The era of Standardbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto came to a close Monday evening. Live Standardbred racing now moves permanently to Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville.

The final week saw several fitting moments. Here is a special “Final Standardbred card at Woodbine” edition of “The Weekly Roundup”.

NOTE: The Weekly Roundup will return to its regular format on April 17 to recap the opening week at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

LEADING DRIVER OF THE WEEK – Louis Philippe Roy (10 wins)

Driver Louis Philippe Roy posted his second consecutive 10-win week to top all drivers during the final week of racing at Woodbine. The Mont-Joli, Quebec native has now been the top driver (or shared the honours) for four consecutive weeks.

Roy’s big final week was highlighted by a victory with Big Rich in the $34,000 Preferred Trot on Monday’s farewell card.

CLOSE BEHIND: Trevor Henry (7 wins), Sylvain Filion (5 wins)
NOTE: 15 different drivers won races over the last week (40 races)

DRIVER OF THE WEEK STANDINGS: (After 13 weeks)
Roy – 7.5
McNair – 3
Jamieson – 1.5
Henry – 1

LEADING TRAINER OF THE WEEK – Richard Moreau (8 wins)

You can now make it eight consecutive weeks that Richard Moreau has posted the most wins by a trainer.

The Puslinch, Ontario resident’s final week at Woodbine was highlighted by a big four-win Saturday night. He also took the final Preferred in Woodbine Standardbred history with Big Rich on Monday.

CLOSE BEHIND: Carmen Auciello (3 wins)
NOTE: 27 different trainers won races over the last week (40 races)

TRAINER OF THE WEEK STANDINGS: (After 13 weeks)
Moreau – 12
Auciello – 1

GOODBYE TO WOODBINE
A look back at the final week of Standardbred Racing at Woodbine Racetrack

MAYOTTE GOES OUT THE WAY HE ENTERED, A WINNER – April 7

Veteran horseman Roger Mayotte won the first-Standardbred race ever at Woodbine Racetrack on Janauary 1, 1994.

On that New Year’s Day, Mayotte steered four-year-old pacer Boastful to victory. Skip ahead 24 years and Mayotte was driving in his final race at Woodbine last Saturday and guess what…?

Mayotte got the job done with an old friend of his, Machal Jordan. It was a fitting exit for one of the sport’s most respected horseman.

Watch Mayotte steer the 9-year-old Machal Jordan to victory in his final drive at Woodbine.

WAPLES AND MCMASTER RECOGNIZED AS ALL-TIME LEADERS – April 7

The question was raised several weeks ago, “Which driver and trainer has won the most races in Woodbine history?”

The answer wasn’t hard to find and after a Twitter Countdown, it was revealed Randy Waples had driven the most winners and Kevin McMaster had sent out the most winners in Woodbine history.

To recognize their contributions and success, Woodbine Racetrack presented Wapels and McMaster with watches and recognized them in the winner’s circle on Saturday evening.

Check out a feature story on Waples & McMaster.

PARKHILL NONSTOP & PAT HUDON ENTER THE HISTORY BOOKS – April 9

The final night of harness racing at Woodbine Racetrack was a bittersweet occasion. The memories of classic races and fantastic performances flowed Monday, while also chatter about the future ahead at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The final race saw Parkhill Nonstop and trainer/driver Pat Hudon capitalize off a perfect two-hole trip to trot away for a 5+ lengths score. The victory was the second of the racing week for the four-year-old trotter, who had also won on Thursday evening.

The big book of harness racing at Woodbine Racetrack is officially closed with Boastful the first-winner and Parkhill Nonstop the final-winner.

FINAL NIGHT AT WOODBINE
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

.@woodbinephotos is a busy man on the final night of Standardbred racing at #BetWoodbine. A group of horsepeople gather outside the paddock for a “farewell” photo! pic.twitter.com/OBL6Tmhzzi

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

Horsepeople gathered outside the Woodbine paddock for a "farewell photo" Monday evening. Exciting future ahead for horsepeople @WoodbineSB! pic.twitter.com/BpmxzePzO2

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

BIG RICH jogs through the Woodbine tunnel on his way to the winners circle after winning the last Preferred race @woodbinesb on Monday night. #woodbine #woodbinesb #standardbred #action pic.twitter.com/YzEWIMvjc7

— Clive Cohen (@woodbinephotos) April 10, 2018

Chris Christoforou waves goodbye to #BetWoodbine! pic.twitter.com/lvK25NTWFe

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

@Jodyjamracing about to get the Go Pro view of the last ever race at Woodbine @WoodbineSB pic.twitter.com/MB48GUnzyQ

— Kirby McGinnis (@DevilMusikDealr) April 10, 2018

Trotters cross the wire for the final time ever at #BetWoodbine pic.twitter.com/2d7yRgSnbL

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

Parkhill Nonstop and Pat Hudon return to the winner’s circle after winning the final race at #BetWoodbine pic.twitter.com/H5tIHXDsN4

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

One final tunnel ride after the final Standardbred race at Woodbine Racetrack! pic.twitter.com/coLXHs8yO7

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

PAT HUDON writes his name in the history books driving PARKHILL NONSTOP to win the final race at @woodbinesb under some light snow flurries. #woodbine #woodbinesb #standardbred #action #Snowing pic.twitter.com/CCT49JLUa4

— Clive Cohen (@woodbinephotos) April 10, 2018

The last few horses leaving the paddock now. Bittersweet moment! pic.twitter.com/kcPToPiCIy

— Mark McKelvie (@MohawkMarkM) April 10, 2018

Over 25 years of world class standardbred action… Thanks for all the memories. See you at Mohawk this Thursday, 7:30 post time. #woodbine #woodbinesb #standardbred #thanksforthememories #thanks pic.twitter.com/8UcpEl0e4q

— Clive Cohen (@woodbinephotos) April 10, 2018

UP NEXT: April 12-16

Live Racing returns to Woodbine Mohawk Park. Join us for Opening Weekend filled with great Food/Drink Specials and giveaways. Post time for Thursday, Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m.