Late summer reduction in entries

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Woodbine Racecourse is experiencing smaller field sizes as the summer racing season winds down. Wednesday's original program, cut short by lightning, was only carded with seven races.

"We annually experience weakened field size in August and early September at Woodbine," said Steve Koch, Woodbine's vice-president of thoroughbred racing. "Our very long racing calendar means that older campaigners by August are taking a vacation and the young two-year-olds aren't quite ready to step up yet. Based on previous years experiences, we can expect field size to pick back up in mid to late September when the Woodbine product will be at its best."

Koch also noted that a virus has been making its way through the Woodbine backstretch.

"A further limit on our horse supply this August is a minor virus that has temporarily sidelined an additional contingent of horses," said Koch. "Hopefully the population will have worked through this virus shortly and we will be at full strength very soon."

On Sunday, September 18 Woodbine will present the $1 million Woodbine Mile and the $500,000 Northern Dancer Turf.