Woodbine Entertainment Group received Ontario Racing Commission approval Sept. 7 to drop 11 Thursday afternoon cards from the Toronto track's 2012 live Thoroughbred racing calendar.
The Thursdays no longer on the Woodbine schedule are Sept. 13, 20, and 27; Oct. 11, 18, and 25; and Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
According to earlier published reports, WEG sought the reduction in dates due to a projected $3.4 million purse account overpayment under the original schedule. The expected overpayment was due to revisions brought about by the Ontario government's decision to cancel its Slots at Racetrack program.
Woodbine's regular live Thoroughbred racing will be conducted from Friday to Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. The final two Thursday cards, Dec. 6 and 13, remain as previously scheduled.
The final date of the meet is set for Dec. 16.
Woodbine Race Course
Michael Burns