<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society Archives - Woodbine Mohawk Park</title> <atom:link href="/mohawk/tag/ontario-standardbred-adoption-society/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link></link> <description>Horse Racing, Slots and Entertainment in Toronto</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:09:42 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-CA</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2</generator> <item> <title>OSAS Pathways: Frightful Watch & Weatherly</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-frightful-watch-weatherly/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[grace]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:09:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aftercare]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OSAS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired racehorse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired Standardbred]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=35704</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, April 10, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-frightful-watch-weatherly/">OSAS Pathways: Frightful Watch & Weatherly</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, April 10, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).</p> <p>This week, we have a double feature starring Frightful Watch and Weatherly, who have remained side-by-side after retiring from their respective racing careers in 2021.</p> <p>The pair, who were stablemates in trainer Julie Walker’s barn, reunited later that year after being adopted into the same family.</p> <p>While they found themselves back in the OSAS program the following year, Frightful Watch and Weatherly were adopted again, this time by Lisa and Rob Lee.</p> <p>The bonded bays arrived at the Lee’s 60-acre Oro-Medonte, Ontario farm last October and have been nothing but a pleasure since that time.</p> <p>“The boys love treat time,” said Lisa. “They stand in their spot ready, neighing and licking their lips waiting for their treats. They are pretty funny. Both Wes [Weatherly] and Kevin [Frightful Watch] are such gentle souls.</p> <p>“Here is Wes [right] with my daughter, and I am on Kevin [left]. This would be my daughter’s first time riding a horse. There was no doubt that Wes was safe. He was the same with Rob. Kevin was equally happy to give me my first ride after many, many years out of the saddle.</p> <figure id="attachment_35705" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35705" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-scaled.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35705 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-800x533.jpg" alt="Lisa with Kevin (Frightful Watch) and her daughter with Wes (Weatherly)" width="750" height="500" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-800x533.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-350x233.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-768x512.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35705" class="wp-caption-text">Lisa with Kevin (Frightful Watch) and her daughter with Wes (Weatherly)</figcaption></figure> <p>“Both boys are a joy to have on the farm.”</p> <p>Fun fact #1: Weatherly enjoyed a successful 144-start racing career, displaying dependable durability to earn over $212,000 (15-17-19).</p> <p>Fun fact #2: Frightful Watch only made two starts before hanging up the horseshoes. However, he has always borne a strong connection to OSAS through his dam, Artsplace daughter Dianes Place, who started her career in the stable of Hall of Fame horseman and member of OSAS’ board of directors, Bill O’Donnell.</p> <p><strong>Frightful Watch (ON)</strong></p> <p>Foaled: April 17, 2017</p> <p>Sire: Hes Watching</p> <p>Dam: Dianes Place</p> <p>Trainer: Julie Walker (most recent)</p> <p>Owner: Lisa & Rob Lee</p> <p>Breeder: Litwin Racing Team</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: Adopted</p> <p><strong>Weatherly (ON)</strong></p> <p>Foaled: April 24, 2011</p> <p>Sire: Dali</p> <p>Dam: Kash Luv</p> <p>Trainer: Julie Walker (most recent)</p> <p>Owner: Lisa & Rob Lee</p> <p>Breeder: VIP Internet Stable LLC</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: Adopted</p> <p><strong>Can you share some insights into Frightful Watch’s personality?</strong></p> <p>“I would describe Kevin as sensitive, cautious and curious. He loves people and attention. His eyes are so soft, and he looks like he looks deep into your soul. It was interesting learning about him and Wes. I thought that Wes would rely on Kevin, but it is actually Kevin that is looking for Wes. Both are calm and easy to work around.”</p> <figure id="attachment_35706" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35706" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-35706 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-800x1067.jpg" alt="Rob and Frightful Watch, now Kevin" width="750" height="1000" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-800x1067.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-350x467.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-768x1024.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35706" class="wp-caption-text">Rob and Frightful Watch, now Kevin</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>What are some of Frightful Watch’s favourite routines or ways to spend the day?</strong></p> <p>“He loves to eat, like most horses. They are often found not far from each other, near the hay bale. They currently live with two mares and the girls definitely boss them around. If you are busy doing something, he is the first one to inspect. If he can help, he is there. If he could talk, I’m sure he would be saying ‘Hey, what ya doing? Can I help?’”</p> <p><strong>What’s one memorable moment that shows Weatherly’s unique character or spirit?</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p>“The only one that comes to mind is his great escape. One day, shortly after being with us, he escaped the pen. There is a small gate by the pond that was open, and Weatherly adventured out to the green grass on the other side. He visited the other pen where he found the minis he once met before at the Mollicas – he maybe even shared a paddock with them.</p> <p>“The minis then broke out, and when Rob looked out, he quickly put on his boots, went to put his halter on and Wes turned and went back into his pen – more or less saying, ‘I know. I know. I’m not supposed to be out here.’”</p> <p><strong>What are some of the activities you and Weatherly enjoy doing together?</strong></p> <p>“Wes loves people. He is always the first to the gate. Wes and I are working on our communication skills; he is showing me his leadership skills. Both boys will be joining my EAL [Equine Assisted Learning] program in the Spring. I acquired my equine assisted learning facilitator certification in 2018 in the Dreamwinds-Cartier Farms program.</p> <p>“I have been looking for the perfect horses to add to my herd to start facilitating at my home farm. Wes has the experience and leadership to be an excellent teacher. Obviously, we look for safe, friendly horses but they also need to embrace the opportunity to work with my clients and provide a positive experience where they can learn and feel safe. Both boys easily adapt to new obstacles.”</p> <figure id="attachment_35707" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35707" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-35707 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-800x1067.jpg" alt="Lisa and Weatherly" width="750" height="1000" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-800x1067.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-350x467.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-768x1024.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35707" class="wp-caption-text">Lisa and Weatherly, now Wes</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>These two have been together for quite some time now. How do they interact when they’re together? How do they complement each other?</strong></p> <p>“Again, I mistakenly thought that Wes would rely heavily on Kevin. Wes lost his eye as a youngster, I am told, but he manages very well on his own. Kevin is a little more needy than Wes. Kevin is more sensitive, while Wes seems to be able to take a joke. They are never far away from each other.”</p> <p><strong>What lessons or joys have you discovered from having both Frightful Watch and Weatherly in your life?</strong></p> <p>“Frightful and Weatherly are a great addition to our farm. We hope that they will continue to grow and flourish. Unfortunately, they have only been with us over the last six months, and it has been winter, so they have adapted well to the quietness of our farm. We generally don’t have a lot going on over the winter – they have spent a lot of time as farm ornaments – but their work will start in May once the ground is ready and the snow is gone.”</p> <p>Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.</p> <p>OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.</p> <p>Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 905-339-6748, for more information.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-frightful-watch-weatherly/">OSAS Pathways: Frightful Watch & Weatherly</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>OSAS Pathways: Masseno</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-masseno/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[grace]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:39:54 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Canadian Cowgirl Precision Riding Drill Team]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jamie Drew]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Masseno]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OSAS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired Standardbred]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Woodbine Mohawk Park]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=35162</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, February 11, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-masseno/">OSAS Pathways: Masseno</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, February 11, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).</p> <p>This week’s installment belongs to Masseno, a former racehorse turned superstar for the award-winning Canadian Cowgirl Precision Riding Drill Team, and Jamie Drew, the Canadian Cowgirl who adopted him in 2020.</p> <p>Masseno, or “Bugsy” to Drew, is the only Standardbred on the team, but with each event across Ontario and the United States, the statuesque Muscle Mass gelding puts the breed’s versatility on full display.</p> <p>“He’s a horse that you could take anywhere. Even if it’s his first time doing something, he tries his best and gives you 110 percent. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bad day for him or if it’s one of his best days, he still gives you 110 percent.”</p> <p>Fun fact #1: Masseno’s barn name is Bugsy.</p> <p>Fun fact #2: Masseno made four starts before retiring from racing in 2020, picking up two seconds and one third.</p> <p>Fun fact #3: Masseno’s second dam is O’Brien Award winner Mombasa, who is also the dam of O’Brien winner Filly at Bigs. His third dam is O’Brien victor Mygal Haw Lea, the dam of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer, Bridger.</p> <figure id="attachment_35165" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35165" style="width: 550px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35165" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-800x1008.jpg" alt="Masseno and Jamie " width="550" height="693" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-800x1008.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-350x441.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-768x967.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing.jpg 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35165" class="wp-caption-text">Masseno and Jamie competing</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Masseno (ON)</strong></p> <p>Foaled: March 19, 2017</p> <p>Sire: Muscle Mass</p> <p>Dam: Tomorrows Dream</p> <p>Trainer: Paul Walker (most recent)</p> <p>Owner: Jamie Drew</p> <p>Breeder: Paul Walker, Julie Walker</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: Adopted</p> <p><strong>What type of reactions do you get when people find out Masseno is a Standardbred?</strong></p> <p>“They are definitely blown away. They usually ask me if he’s a pacer or a trotter. The most common one I get is, ‘How did you get him to lope and gallop so easy? And how does he look as good as he does while he’s doing it?’</p> <p>“They definitely are blown away by his size and the way he moves compared to the other horses. Most of the team is Quarter Horses and your regular movers, so I think their eyes get drawn to him and his different movement.”</p> <figure id="attachment_35167" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35167" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-35167" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-800x533.jpg" alt="Masseno (#5) finishing second behind Windsong Patriot (#2) on July 28, 2020 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media)" width="750" height="500" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-800x533.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-350x233.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-768x512.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/05-WINDSONG-PATRIOT-RC-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35167" class="wp-caption-text">Masseno (#5) finishing second behind Windsong Patriot (#2) on July 28, 2020 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media)</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>How would you best describe the connection you two share?</strong></p> <p>“I would say it’s a different kind of connection than most. He’s not always the most confident horse. He’s not a leader, he’s definitely a follower, but in any situation that he’s been put in where he has to be a lead horse or he really has to be confident in himself, he always seems to come to me for reassurance.</p> <p>“He does really well when I talk him through things, simply like ‘Good boy,’ ‘Good job.’ He’ll put himself through anything, no matter how nervous or unsure he is, and he will do that for me.</p> <figure id="attachment_35166" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35166" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35166 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-2-800x513.jpg" alt="Masseno and Jamie" width="750" height="481" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-2-800x513.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-2-350x225.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-2-768x493.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Competing-2.jpg 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35166" class="wp-caption-text">Masseno and Jamie competing</figcaption></figure> <p>“When we first met, I wasn’t used to a horse that wasn’t supremely confident. I was always on horses that were leaders, and not really followers, so that’s something I really had to learn about him and figure out different ways to accommodate his differences. I had to learn around him a bit, but I think it’s also made me a better horse person, learning from him.</p> <p>“We went through a few years where we were just figuring out each other’s buttons, but now it’s drastically different. I can just lean one way, and he knows what direction I want him to go versus before there was a lot of reassurance and I’d be asking a little bit more.</p> <p>“Now I can just rely on him and trust him with everything.”</p> <p><strong>Tell us about Masseno’s personality.</strong></p> <p>“He’s very sweet. He would never hurt anybody, and he will do a lot for you. When it comes time to work, he gets into that mode quickly. He knows when we get in the trailer and we go somewhere, we work, and at home we can be more laid back and goofy. He knows the difference, but he definitely still shows his personality.</p> <figure id="attachment_35164" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35164" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-with-Fans.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35164 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-with-Fans-800x600.png" alt="Masseno and Jamie meeting fans " width="750" height="563" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-with-Fans-800x600.png 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-with-Fans-350x263.png 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-with-Fans-768x576.png 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-with-Fans.png 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35164" class="wp-caption-text">Masseno and Jamie meeting fans</figcaption></figure> <p>“He loves younger kids, toddlers, all of them. He’s always very gentle with them at rodeos when we do meet and greets or even at bigger shows when we do autographs and things like that.</p> <p>“He’s very attentive to people’s size. I don’t think he realizes how big he is, but he’s not intimidating in the slightest.”</p> <p><strong>What are you most grateful for when it comes to Masseno being in your life? </strong></p> <p>“I think it’s the relationship we have and how much we can rely on each other. We both have learned a lot from each other. He’s taught me an insane amount of horse person skills, and now that I’m training and starting horses for other people, he’s given me the confidence to help others with that.</p> <p>“I love talking about him. He’s so different that so many people are drawn to him, and it makes me very proud that he and I worked through all of those big mountains we had to climb over. Sometimes we fell down, but we achieved our goals and here we are. He’s shown so much more confidence the last few years and himself, which is amazing to see.”</p> <figure id="attachment_35163" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35163" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Jamie-Casual.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-35163" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Jamie-Casual-800x1000.png" alt="Masseno and Jamie" width="750" height="938" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Jamie-Casual-800x1000.png 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Jamie-Casual-350x437.png 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Jamie-Casual-768x960.png 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Masseno-Jamie-Casual.png 1206w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35163" class="wp-caption-text">Masseno and Jamie</figcaption></figure> <p>*</p> <p>Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.</p> <p>OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.</p> <p>Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 905-339-6748, for more information.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-masseno/">OSAS Pathways: Masseno</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>OSAS Pathways: Stetson Seelster</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-stetson-seelster/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[grace]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:43:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OSAS]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=34966</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, December 22, 2025 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-stetson-seelster/">OSAS Pathways: Stetson Seelster</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, December 22, 2025 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).</p> <p>This week’s installment belongs to Stetson Seelster, an unraced 2-year-old with regal family ties, currently in training with Bert and Susan Mollica, who train the majority of OSAS horses at their farm in Tottenham, Ontario.</p> <p>Susan, who will play a recurring role in this series, details the gregarious bay’s seamless transition into her family’s program and the endless possibilities that await him.</p> <p>“He’s adventuresome, curious and willing – a real Curious George. He’s very much, ‘Okay, I’ll do this, and oh, that’s really cool, and yeah, let’s do this.’”</p> <p>Fun fact #1: Stetson Seelster’s barn name is Stetson.</p> <p>Fun fact #2: The first foal of Stetson Seelster’s dam Shakai Hanover is Shiraz Seelster, who is the dam of Chantilly, Canada’s Horse of the Year in 2024.</p> <p><strong>Stetson Seelster (ON)</strong></p> <p>Foaled: January 30, 2023</p> <p>Sire: All Bets Off</p> <p>Dam: Shakai Hanover</p> <p>Trainer: N/A</p> <p>Owner: Seelster Farms Inc.</p> <p>Breeder: Seelster Farms Inc.</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: In training</p> <figure id="attachment_34967" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34967" style="width: 596px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-34967 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1-800x1374.jpeg" alt="Stetson Seelster and Bert Mollica" width="596" height="1024" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1-800x1374.jpeg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1-350x601.jpeg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1-768x1319.jpeg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1-894x1536.jpeg 894w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1-1192x2048.jpeg 1192w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Stetson-Seelster-Bert-Mollica-1.jpeg 1283w" sizes="(max-width: 596px) 100vw, 596px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34967" class="wp-caption-text">Stetson Seelster and Bert Mollica</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>What were your first impressions of Stetson Seelster?</strong></p> <p>“When he first came here, he was very easy going and very well mannered. He had an, ‘I’m at a new house, this is really cool,’ attitude about him.</p> <p>“He arrived with Timmy [Naso Hanover] and Playsomthincountry. We put the three of them in the barn together, and there were never any issues.</p> <p>“I have a Standardbred, a Quarter Horse, and a mini, and they’re right in the paddock beside them. Stetson’s always playing around with my husband’s Quarter Horse, who is like the king of the farm. He kind of rules the roost, and he and Stetson started playing right away. It was so comical because the other two stayed away, where Stetson’s right up there going, ‘Hey, how’s it going?’</p> <p>“He’s a very forward personality and not afraid of things.”</p> <p><strong>How has he adapted to his training sessions with Bert?</strong></p> <p>“Oh, instantly. He was very cooperative. Bert started with the groundwork and Stetson took an immediate interest in it. Bert saw that nothing was bothering him, so he said, ‘Let’s get the saddle on.’ That went on and it was smooth sailing after that.</p> <p>“He was the type that just went instantly with Bert. Like I said in our last chat, we have a friend who comes down – they’ve adopted three OSAS horses from us – and their daughter [Lexi] came and spent a few days with us, and she was riding Stetson.</p> <p>“He’s the type that you can get on him and just go. We never needed to worry about him spooking or freaking out over anything because he’s more the type that would just be wanting to go and see what things were.”</p> <p><strong>Based on what you’ve seen so far, where do you think Stetson’s talents might shine next as far as a second career or home fit?</strong></p> <p>“He could really go with pretty much any discipline. The obstacles are not a problem, so trail riding would definitely be a good fit for him.</p> <p>“If somebody wanted to get into English riding with him, for example, I really feel that he could learn the dressage side. Being able to tack him up and go out with a bunch of friends and go for a ride as a trail horse, he would love it.</p> <p>“The obstacles that we put them through here isn’t to do Extreme Cowboy, it’s so that when they go into their new career and they’ve got to cross a bridge or go through some trees and the branches brush on their sides and stuff, they’re not afraid of them. If they’ve got to go underneath something, they learn that, too. It’s just more bombproofing them for anything that they may encounter in their next career.</p> <p>“With Stetson, he could go any route. Most of what we try and do here is make them perfect for a trail horse, but if somebody came in and wanted to do Western gaming with him, he would learn that.</p> <p>“He could pretty much go any direction for what anybody wanted to do with him. He would suit a younger rider, but he could also suit an older rider that just wants to do trail riding. A young person may want to get into beginner English and do small jumps.</p> <p>“I can see Stetson saying, ‘Whatever you want me to do, teach me, and I’ll do it.’”</p> <p><strong>Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine </strong></p> <p>*</p> <p>Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.</p> <p>OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.</p> <p>Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 905-339-6748, for more information.</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-stetson-seelster/">OSAS Pathways: Stetson Seelster</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>The Cowgirl and Bugsy</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/the-cowgirl-and-bugsy/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[grace]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2023 20:04:46 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Horse Welfare]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jamie Drew]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OSAS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired race horse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[woodbineSB]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=13756</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>MILTON, January 23, 2023– It is, among many things, a look of mutual reassurance whenever the young rider and the imposing former...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/the-cowgirl-and-bugsy/">The Cowgirl and Bugsy</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MILTON, January 23, 2023– It is, among many things, a look of mutual reassurance whenever the young rider and the imposing former Standardbred lock eyes in the crowded arena.</p> <p>Festooned in eye-catching red and white, holding a Canadian flag aloft, 15-year-old Jamie Drew will take a deep breath before the music starts and the pageantry begins.</p> <p>Sitting astride Bugsy, a powerfully built trotter who had a brief four-race career on the racetrack, the teenager from Tilbury, Ontario, looks for a confidence boost ahead of the big moment.</p> <p>She never has to look far.</p> <p>“He’s a pleaser, and he wants to do anything for you,” shared Drew. “He has some anxiety, and it takes a blend of me encouraging him and having him trust me, for him to know that I am here for him.”</p> <p>Drew, who has been part of the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Drill Team since 2018, was joined by Bugsy starting 18 months ago. Performing in front of audiences across North America with their precision riding, sparkling costumes, and breathtaking maneuvers, the Canadian Cowgirls, hailing from the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario, currently features 14 women and their horses, a mix of different equine breeds including Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Arabian and Paint. Over the years, the group has earned numerous accolades, including “Best Horse Entry” and “Best Formal Coloured Guard Entry” at the Calgary Stampede Parade, and “Best Equestrian Entry” at the Indy 500 Parade in Indianapolis.</p> <figure id="attachment_13758" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13758" style="width: 474px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-13758 size-full" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_5325.jpg" alt="" width="474" height="640" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_5325.jpg 474w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_5325-350x473.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-13758" class="wp-caption-text">Jamie Drew and horse Bugsy before a Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team performance</figcaption></figure> <p>Known as Masseno during his racing days, Bugsy has become somewhat of a rockstar on the circuit. Not only for his size, but also for his back story.</p> <p>“There were a lot of people interested in him because of how big he is and his conformation. He’s a humungous horse. He’s the youngest on the team, but he’s also the tallest. I’ve had people ask me if he’s a mustang. When they find out he’s a Standardbred, they ask all kinds of questions. Once people hear he’s only six, they are so impressed at how well he’s done for such a young horse.”</p> <p>The trotter, who posted a pair of seconds and a third from his four starts, was adopted from the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society by Jamie and her family in early 2021.</p> <p>Established in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario, OSAS is operated by a Board of Directors and is funded through fundraising, contributions from racetracks, horse industry organizations and private donations. Its program, which follows-up on each horse after an adoption, helps educate and assist in the retraining and management of the horses.</p> <p>“We have a good friend, Larry Gibbons, who used to race standardbreds, and I was looking for a project-type horse for the summertime,” recalled Drew. “It was love at first sight. He was at a foster home for a month, and I would get photos and updates of him from Bert and Sue Mollica. They thought it would be a good match, Bugsy and me, for what I was looking for. I liked him as soon as I saw him.”</p> <p>The pair have been inseparable since Bugsy, trained by Julie Walker who bred with her father Paul, came to the Drews in December 2020.</p> <p>Jamie recently welcomed a second project horse into the mix.</p> <p>Her work with Bugsy will act as the basis for the development of his new stablemate.</p> <p>“He’s put a lot of confidence into me, making me realize what I am capable of. I’m very grateful for what OSAS does. I like how they help find the horses the right home and the right person. That’s what they did for me and Bugsy. He has helped me learn a lot, which is a big help in what I can teach the new horse. He’s taught me patience and given me the interest in wanting to train horses now.”</p> <p>That newfound confidence was on display this July in Kentucky at an event the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team participated in.</p> <figure id="attachment_13757" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13757" style="width: 291px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-13757 size-full" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_2148-Edited.png" alt="" width="291" height="206" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-13757" class="wp-caption-text">Jamie Drew and horse Bugsy performing with the Canadian Cowgirls Precision Team</figcaption></figure> <p>Drew was, admittedly, battling nerves in the days and weeks leading up to the trip to the Bluegrass State.</p> <p>In the moments prior to entering the arena, those feelings of trepidation heightened.</p> <p>After a quick glance down, the apprehension and anxiety seemed to melt away.</p> <p>“It was his first time and my first time going to the States together. It was huge. He did really, really well. It’s a big confidence thing for him to have all the other horses around him. It was also nerve-wracking for me because it was such a big venue and a place I had never been to before. But we were there for one another and that made everything calm. It was overwhelming at first, in knowing how much I had put in and all the work he had put in, but we did it.”</p> <p>For Mark Drew, seeing his daughter and her equine teammate perform at high-profile events is an unabashed source of pride.</p> <p>He often marvels at how far the two have come in such a short period of time.</p> <p>“There are many venues, big or small, that they participate in. They come out as a huge team of riders and horses into a crowded indoor or outdoor arena. The crowd goes completely bonkers. To see the team in unison, it really is quite amazing. It really is electrifying. When you are there in person and the music starts playing… it’s a sight to see. The part that sticks out for Jamie and Bugsy, is that they’ve worked so hard in eight months to perform at an elite level. He trusts her to guide him, and she trusts him. It’s great to see the confidence he has in her, and vice-versa.”</p> <p>A bond that continues to grow with each passing day.</p> <p>“I feel so lucky to have Bugsy in my life,” said Jamie. “I know we’ll always be there for each other.”</p> <figure id="attachment_13759" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-13759" style="width: 295px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-13759 size-full" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/IMG_5326-Edited.png" alt="" width="295" height="282" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-13759" class="wp-caption-text">Jamie Drew</figcaption></figure> <p> </p> <p><strong>Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/WoodbineComms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>@WoodbineComms</strong></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/the-cowgirl-and-bugsy/">The Cowgirl and Bugsy</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Easy Lover Hanover: A gentleman living the good life</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/easy-lover-hanover-a-gentleman-living-the-good-life/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[markmckelvie]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 02 Nov 2021 20:35:33 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Easy Lover Hanover]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Joanne Colville]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=11706</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The horse that stepped off the trailer at the foster farm was very much the same one Joanne Colville had seen, up-close,...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/easy-lover-hanover-a-gentleman-living-the-good-life/">Easy Lover Hanover: A gentleman living the good life</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The horse that stepped off the trailer at the foster farm was very much the same one Joanne Colville had seen, up-close, over a distinguished 144-race career.</p> <p>It took less time than a standardbred opening quarter mile for Colville, who has served as Events Coordinator and Board Member with the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) for several years, to realize that Easy Lover Hanover hadn’t changed a bit from his racing days.</p> <p>“He is an absolute sweetheart,” said Colville, of the handsome eight-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, who was retired from racing in August. “He’s an in-your-pocket kind of guy, very willing to please. You saw that right away. He has an amazing personality and demeanor, the kind of horse that is very special.”</p> <p>The longtime horsewoman would certainly know.</p> <p>Colville has been an outrider at Woodbine Entertainment racetracks for years, affording her a front-row seat to watch hundreds of horses compete over the course of each racing season.</p> <p>She quicky recalled Easy Lover Hanover, the pacer who originally sold for $100,000 as Hip No. 248 at the 2014 Harrisburg Yearling Sale, before coming to owner Brad Grant and Hall of Fame trainer Ben Wallace two years later.</p> <p>“Brad had bought him originally as a nice overnight horse and he far exceeded any of their expectations,” said Colville. “He was always quiet and mannerly any time I did see him. And he still is to this day. He likes his work, he likes to go about his work, and he’s a true gentleman.”</p> <figure id="attachment_11707" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11707" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/easy-lover-hanover-a-gentleman-living-the-good-life/attachment/_easyloverhanover-osas1/#main" rel="attachment wp-att-11707"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-11707 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS1-800x600.jpeg" alt="" width="750" height="563" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS1-800x600.jpeg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS1-350x263.jpeg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS1-768x576.jpeg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS1.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11707" class="wp-caption-text">Easy Lover Hanover is enjoying the good life following an outstanding racing career. (OSAS)</figcaption></figure> <p>Founded in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario, OSAS is funded through fundraising, contributions from racetracks, horse industry organizations and private donations.</p> <p>Easy Lover Hanover is one of hundreds of horses the initiative has helped.</p> <p>“He found a home with a lady who is a previous OSAS adopter, Northumbria Equine,” said Colville, of the farm in Port Hope, Ontario. “He’s pampered, he’s loving life and that’s what he deserves. Everything fell into place for him. Ben and Brad are very happy. The lady that looked after him is very happy to get all of the updates on how he’s doing.”</p> <p>Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Easy Lover Hanover, originally trained by Tony Alagna, came to Wallace and Grant through the 2016 Tattersalls January Mixed Sale. The sale was held not long after the barn fire that saw 43 horses perish at Classy Lane Training Centre.</p> <p>Wallace’s stable star at the time was the Grant-owned Apprentice Hanover, another son of Somebeachsomewhere, who had accumulated over $1 million in earnings.</p> <p>Grant, hopeful that an unproven Easy Lover Hanover could provide both he and Wallace with a hard-knocking horse to work with, paid $70,000 for the bay.</p> <p>If he was looking to make a good first impression on his new connections, Easy Lover Hanover most certainly did.</p> <p>He delivered Grant and Wallace with a six-race win streak in 2016. Later that year, he made five straight trips to the winner’s circle, which landed him in the Hap Hansen Progress Pace at Dover Downs. After finishing second in his elimination, he took all the spoils in the $314,600 final, in what would be his highest-profile stakes triumph.</p> <p>In all, Easy Lover Hanover would win 51 races, along with 87 top-three finishes, from 144 starts. His bankroll stands at $1,162, 473.</p> <figure id="attachment_11708" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11708" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/easy-lover-hanover-a-gentleman-living-the-good-life/attachment/_easyloverhanover-osas/#main" rel="attachment wp-att-11708"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-11708 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS-800x600.jpeg" alt="" width="750" height="563" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS-800x600.jpeg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS-350x263.jpeg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS-768x576.jpeg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/11/EasyLoverHanover-OSAS.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-11708" class="wp-caption-text">Easy Lover Hanover. (OSAS)</figcaption></figure> <p>Colville, whose High Stakes Farm breeds, sells and races trotters and pacers, as well as boarding horses for numerous clients, is grateful that OSAS played an integral role in Easy Lover Hanover’s post-racing life.</p> <p>“It’s a feather in your cap when people like Brad and Ben support the program. They’ve both been longtime supporters of OSAS. This time, we were able to help them out, by giving a home to a horse that’s very dear to both of them.”</p> <p>She’s also appreciative of the widespread efforts of the horse racing community throughout the past 18 months.</p> <p>Despite the worldwide pandemic wreaking havoc on the Ontario horse racing industry, the importance of recognizing the efforts of OSAS never waned.</p> <p>“I was worried heading into COVID,” offered Colville, who served as Chair of Standardbred Canada for several years and is also on the board of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA). “No racing means no funding or very little funding. But the industry has rallied around us, and they have been absolutely wonderful, very generous. Our golf tournament was sold out, probably 10 days after we posted that we were holding it. It was heartwarming to see.</p> <p>“The industry, as a whole, has been phenomenal. We have a board that is second to none. They are versed in all aspects of the industry. Jim Evans, our President, has been involved in racing for years, and is very passionate about what we do. We have two Hall of Famers (Bill O’Donnell and Ian Fleming), Heather MacKay does a great job with our press releases and in organizing our recent 25th anniversary events, and Kelly Spencer brings great marketing expertise. Everyone at OSAS works hard and cares deeply about the horses.”</p> <p>It’s something Colville was reminded of when she finally had the chance to meet the horse that she had marveled at on the racetrack for so many years.</p> <p>After the first pat, she knew Easy Lover Hanover was destined for the good life.</p> <p>“He puts a big smile on your face the moment you meet him. He’s a horse that gave so much when he raced and he’s still very much that giving horse. It’s a feelgood story and hopefully we’ve got some more.”</p> <p><strong>Chris Lomon for Woodbine Communications</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/easy-lover-hanover-a-gentleman-living-the-good-life/">Easy Lover Hanover: A gentleman living the good life</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Breeders Crown Charity Challenge raises $282,996 for local charities</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/breeders-crown-charity-challenge-raises-282996-for-local-charities/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[markmckelvie]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:00:10 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Breeders Crown Charity Challenge]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jessica Buckley]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Marvin Katz]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=7305</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>MILTON, October 29, 2019 – The inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge came to a close this past Friday with the Ontario Standardbred...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/breeders-crown-charity-challenge-raises-282996-for-local-charities/">Breeders Crown Charity Challenge raises $282,996 for local charities</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MILTON, October 29, 2019 – The inaugural Breeders Crown Charity Challenge came to a close this past Friday with 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.</p> <p>“We are so humbled by the contributions and donations made by so many people throughout the Standardbred racing community in the US and Canada,” said Jessica Buckley, President, Woodbine Mohawk Park. “This all started as a great idea by Marvin Katz and it far surpassed all of our expectations. It truly is a reflection of the great people in our industry and the power of working together. These donations will positively impact many lives.”</p> <p>The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge launched in June and featured four teams consisting of a celebrity, a charity of their choosing, and an award-winning three-year-old Standardbred. Each charity is received one per cent of their horse’s earnings from June 1 through Oct. 26.</p> <p>Along with the horse’s earnings, a breeding auction was held in Lexington, Kentucky in early-October to raise funds for the challenge. Exceeding expectations, more than $200,000 in funds was raised through the auction, allowing Woodbine Cares to make larger donations to each charity.</p> <p>Each team competed to garner the most votes in a Facebook poll, which closed on October 24, with the winning team receiving the largest portion of the funds raised for their charity.</p> <p>A special presentation was held during Friday’s Breeders Crown card to recognize the charities and unveil their donation amounts. Marvin Katz, a presenting sponsor for the Breeders Crown, came up with the idea for the Charity Challenge and joined in presenting cheques to each charity.</p> <p>In recognition of Katz, Woodbine Cares Foundation donated $50,000 to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in the presenting sponsor’s name.</p> <p>The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, celebrity Dan Plesac (former MLB pitcher) and their horse Captain Crunch received the most votes to win the Charity Challenge and earn $109,484 ($100,000 + earnings).</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">That <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crown19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crown19</a> Charity Challenge winning feeling! Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/OSASEquine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OSASEquine</a> & Team <a href="https://twitter.com/Plesac19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Plesac19</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WoodbineCares?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WoodbineCares</a> <a href="https://t.co/yMnRZYNeIx">pic.twitter.com/yMnRZYNeIx</a></p> <p>— Woodbine – Mohawk Park (@WoodbineSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WoodbineSB/status/1187948107268575233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p>Kim MacDonald (Weather Network personality) and her horse Woodside Charm finished second in the voting to earn $80,000 for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.</p> <p>The other two charities in the challenge received a last-minute boost to their earnings courtesy of Breeders Crown victories by their horses.</p> <p>Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons (Toronto Argonauts General Manager and former CFL player) teamed up with Warrawee Ubeaut to earn $33,831 ($25,000 + earnings) for the Pinball Clemons Foundation, while Eddie Olczyk (former NHL player) and Gimpanzee collected $9,681 (earnings) for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.</p> <p>A total of $282,996 was donated to five local charities through the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge and this could not have been accomplished without the support and generosity of the following individuals and groups.</p> <p><strong>Captaintreacherous</strong><br /> The Captaintreacherous Syndicate, Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, Hanover Shoe Farms</p> <p><strong>Always B Miki, Father Patrick and Sweet Lou</strong><br /> Adam Bowden, Diamond Creek Farms</p> <p><strong>Muscle Hill</strong><br /> Michael Klau, Southwind Farms</p> <p><strong>Chapter Seven</strong><br /> Tom Grossman, Blue Chip Farms</p> <p><strong>Tactical Landing</strong><br /> Kevin Greenfield, Southwind Farms</p> <p><strong>Gimpanzee</strong><br /> Courant Inc, SRF Stable, Marcus Melander</p> <p><strong>Warrawee Ubeaut</strong><br /> Burke Racing Stable, Phillip Collura, J & T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi</p> <p><strong>Captain Crunch</strong><br /> 3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables, Caviart Farms, Nancy Johansson</p> <p><strong>Woodside Charm</strong><br /> Verlin Yoder</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/breeders-crown-charity-challenge-raises-282996-for-local-charities/">Breeders Crown Charity Challenge raises $282,996 for local charities</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>#Crown19: Johansson and Captain Crunch stepping up for Charity</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/crown19-johansson-and-captain-crunch-stepping-up-for-charity/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[markmckelvie]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 22 Oct 2019 22:53:59 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Breeders Crown]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Breeders Crown Charity Challenge]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Captain Crunch]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nancy Johansson]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=7239</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>MILTON, October 22, 2019 – On and off the racetrack, Captain Crunch is always clutch when it’s crunch time. When the opportunity...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/crown19-johansson-and-captain-crunch-stepping-up-for-charity/">#Crown19: Johansson and Captain Crunch stepping up for Charity</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MILTON, October 22, 2019 – On and off the racetrack, Captain Crunch is always clutch when it’s crunch time.</p> <p>When the opportunity arose to be part of unique component of the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, trainer Nancy Johansson, who has done stellar work with champion pacer Captain Crunch, as well as with her other stable of horses, didn’t hesitate in supporting the endeavor.</p> <p>“Obviously, it was something we jumped on pretty much right away when we were asked to do it,” said the New Jersey-based Johansson, who has already set career-best marks across the board in 2019. “It’s always good to see something like this for our sport, to give back to the community. Horse racing is an integral part of our lives, and in Ontario, especially, there are a lot of farms, and great horsepeople – it’s a big part of the economy. So for us to contribute back to all of that, it’s just a win-win for everybody.”</p> <p>The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge partners four award-winning Standardbreds with four celebrities, and a charity of their selection, as part of a social media challenge leading up to the 2019 Breeders Crown which will take place at Woodbine Mohawk Park on October 25-26.</p> <p>Eddie Olczyk (former NHL player/coach, current NBC Sports analyst), Dan Plesac (former MLB pitcher, current MLB Network analyst), Michael “Pinball” Clemons (former CFL player/coach) and Kim MacDonald (Weather Network personality) are the celebrities.</p> <p>Each one has been tasked with drawing the biggest fanbase for their horse by directing fans to Woodbine Mohawk Park’s Facebook page. The team that acquires the most votes (fans have been voting once a day for their favourite) during the challenge will receive additional funds raised through an auction.</p> <p>The connections of Dan Patch Award honorees Captain Crunch, Gimpanzee, Warrawee Ubeaut and Woodside Charm pledged one per cent of their respective horse’s earnings from June 1, 2019 to October 26, 2019 to go towards the charity of their associated celebrity.</p> <p>Each charity is guaranteed to receive $5,000 minimum.</p> <p>Team Plesac, currently leading the way, is partnered with Captain Crunch. The former pitcher selected the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) as his charity.</p> <p>Founded in 1996 to assist in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario, OSAS helps to educate and assist in the retraining and management of the horses.</p> <p>Captain Crunch, a son of Captaintreacherous, out of Sweet Paprika, (from the family of Dan Patch Award-winner Sweet Lou and $2.78 million-earner Bettor Sweet) was the 2018 Dan Patch Award recipient for best two-year-old male pacer.</p> <p>His top triumphs last year came in the Breeders Crown and year-ending Governor’s Cup.</p> <p>In 2019, he notched back-to-back scores in divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes before breaking stride in his elimination for the North America Cup. He jumped a shadow in the first turn but recovered to finish fifth and advance to the $1 million final.</p> <p>The bay colt delivered a primetime performance in the big race, stopping the clock in 1:47.2. The time is the fastest ever by a three-year-old pacer on Canadian soil.</p> <p>On October 19, he finished third in his Breeders Crown elim, one week ahead of the highly anticipated final. With the result, his record now stands at 11-3-3 from 22 career starts.</p> <p>“You always worry when you have a two-year-old champion, and you want them to come back and race well at three,” started Johansson. “There’s always a lot of pressure coming from a champion two-year-old season to a three-year-old season, as it is. We’ve been so lucky. He’s a just a wonderful horse. He’s an exceptional individual both physically and mentally. He has great pedigree. He’s just a really nice horse to be around. Special horses have those extra-special qualities to them.”</p> <p>The type of horse that’s always up for the challenge, no matter when, where or what it happens to be.</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/crown19-johansson-and-captain-crunch-stepping-up-for-charity/">#Crown19: Johansson and Captain Crunch stepping up for Charity</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>