An overcast and occasionally rainy day set the stage for the commencement of Woodbine Racetrack's 71st thoroughbred racing season in Rexdale, Ontario. The 128-day meet kicked off on April 18, 2026, with veteran jockey Jose Campos securing a decisive victory aboard Haley's Honor in the opening race.
A Flying Start for Campos and Haley's Honor
Jose Campos, a 34-year-old native of Mexico City who began riding at Woodbine in 2022, experienced the highs and lows of racing in 2025. His season was abruptly cut short on November 22 due to a fractured shin sustained after being unseated by his mount. However, on Saturday, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, guiding Haley's Honor to an easy win in a five-furlong mid-level claiming event.
"She was the best horse in the race," Campos remarked about the five-year-old mare. "I just let the filly run like she wants to run." This victory marked Haley's Honor's third career win, trained by Steven Chircop, and set a positive tone for the new season.
Challenges of the Opening Day
The opening card was limited to just seven sprint races with relatively short fields, a consequence of winter and early spring weather that affected training schedules. Most stables are still in the process of moving north, contributing to the condensed lineup. Despite the damp conditions, the racing community gathered with anticipation for the start of the lengthy meet.
Campos, who finished seventh in the Woodbine standings last year with 46 wins, is determined to build on this early success. Reflecting on his goals, he stated, "I have to be stronger, more focused, and try to do everything better than last year." His previous achievement includes winning the 2024 Prince of Wales Stakes aboard Vitality, underscoring his capability in high-stakes races.
Spotlight Shared Among Jockeys and Trainers
The opening day victories were distributed among several jockeys and trainers, highlighting the competitive nature of the season's start. Christoff Douglas won the second race aboard Vandoo for trainer Dale Powell, while Daisuke Fukumoto rode Minimum Forty to victory in the third race for trainer Bob Tiller.
Rico Walcott picked up the mount on Gretna Green and secured a win in the fourth race for trainer Devon Gittens. The fifth race saw an upset with 11-1 long shot Impulsive Bid, ridden by Keveh Nicholls for trainer Preston Ferris. Trainer Debra Rombis sent Chromeplated Heart to win the sixth race with Jeffrey Alderson up at odds of 7-1, and Elgin Park claimed the final race with Ryan Munger up for William Tharrenos.
Betting Highlights and Future Races
Betting enthusiasts focused on the mandatory Power Pick 6 payout, which was seeded with $61,000 of carryover money from a cancellation of races on the last card of 2025. The winning combination paid $3,509.56 for a 20-cent bet, adding an element of excitement to the day's events.
Racing is set to resume on Sunday, with the first stakes race of the season scheduled for the following Saturday. This opening day not only celebrated the return of thoroughbred racing to Woodbine but also set the stage for a season filled with potential and competition.
