Hi there kids!

I hope you've got your running shoes ready for the races this Friday! No, silly, not just the horse races. The Giddy Up & Gallop Kids Fun Run at Grand River Raceway on July 17!

I've been doing my stretches and galloping all over the paddock to get ready for the mascot race. The other mascots won't know what happened when I trot past them at lightning speed!

Will you be at Grand River on Friday night? Registration starts at 5:30 with the kids race at 6:50, after the horses finish up their second race. The cost to participate is $25 and for a really awesome cause, the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington. Giddy Up & Gallop has raised money for lots of cool groups in the past that help people all over Canada!

The race is half a mile, one lap of Grand River's racetrack. Don't you want to race on the track the horses do? I know I'm excited!

See you on Friday!

Willie Win

Hey kids!

Last weekend I was at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto for the Doors Open event that is going on all over the province! We went for behind the scenes tours of the track, met cool jockeys and trainers and saw lots of pretty horses. I got to hang out at the West entrance to the track and greet people as they arrived.

The best part of my day was seeing all of you! Here's a picture with one of my biggest fans.

My favourite thing at the track was the Hall of Fame. It was so cool looking at all the pictures and seeing the horses who made history. There was even a son of the great Secretariat, Time Alert, there meeting visitors.

Now I need to find more fun things to do! Check back on my blog soon and I'll let you know where I'm headed next. It's time for another Willie Win summer adventure!

See you soon!

Willie Win

Hi guys!

I’m super excited that the warm weather is finally here. That means I get to go on more adventures!

A week and a half ago, I got to visit the Daily Bread Food Bank. Last year, Daily Bread distributed almost nine million pounds of food to those in need all across the Greater Toronto Area. They help make sure that everyone’s tummies are full all year round.

Next weekend, I’ll be visiting Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. May 23 and 24 the track is hosting Doors Open Toronto from 10:00am to 5:00pm. There will be guided bus tours of Woodbine’s private stable area, the opportunity to see where more than 2000 horses live and train, walk through Woodbine’s starting gate and more! Woodbine’s jockeys and drivers will be on hand to meet visitors and sign autographs. Live racing kicks off at 1:00pm and I’ll be there trying to outrun the Thoroughbreds! Your parents can find more information here. 

Make sure you come visit me and bring your camera. See you there!

Willie Win

Hi everyone!

You know how I was telling you about visiting out East? Surprise! I have touched down in Nova Scotia and I can't wait to see all your smiling faces.

I decided I couldn't miss Atlantic Grand Circuit Week at Truro Raceway. In addition to all the fun stuff they have planned, they're going to be helping an organization called Maggie's Place. They help kids and their families that face difficulties in Cumberland and Colchester.

Kicking off on July 20th, the Grand Circuit runs until July 27. Each race card throughout the week will host two bouncy pony races. Encourage your parents to give it a try and cheer them on.

Speaking of cheering, Chester the Clown has challenged me to a race during Grand Circuit Week. I have been running every morning in preparation. Come out and cheer me on, maybe I'll set a new track record!

See you soon!

Willie Win

Hey kids!

How is your summer going? School is wrapping up which means two whole months of fun!

I’ve been pretty busy looking at flights. I am going to be flying out to Nova Scotia soon to visit all of you out on the East Coast!

I’m a little skittish of flying, but Maven flew all the way out to Sweden to race in the Elitloppet. More than 50,000 people went to Solvalla in Stockholm to cheer her and all the other horses on! If she can fly all the way across the ocean, I think I can make it to Truro.

Here’s a picture of the trotting mare herself, settling in and showing off at Solvalla with Yannick Gingras.

Have you ever flown before? It’s not so scary, right? I can’t wait to see all your smiling faces!

Willie Win

Hey kids!

Did you have fun at the Giddy Up & Gallop Fun Run on Sunday at Mohawk Racetrack? It was awesome to see all your smiling faces in person!

It was a pretty incredible day! Winning the Mascot Race was one of the many highlights in the day. I’m pretty excited about it though, my hooves just can’t stop dancing! Thanks for cheering me on, you guys are the best!

For those who couldn’t make it out to the track, you should check out all the awesome photos from the day. They’re all on the Standardbred CanadaFacebook page. Lots of smiling faces and hooves flying…I mean legs RUNNING! To be honest, that Mascot Race tired me out, I’m still recovering!

Yesterday’s race was in support of an organization called Friends of We Care. They send kids with physical challenges to summer camp. These kids get to experience new things and make some lifelong memories.

I was sure impressed by all the runners in the one lap kids race. Everyone was so speedy! Victor Montini hit the wire first in a time of 5:23; he won it in 2012 too. That’s what I call fast feet!

What cool summer plans do you all have? I’m counting down the days until the Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack, it’s going to be one of the best races this year I think. What do you think?

See you soon!

Willie Win

Hey guys!

The year is winding down, school is almost over, and that means SUMMER! I’m super excited about all the cool stuff taking place in the next few months and I want to tell you all about it!

This Sunday, the Giddy Up and Gallop Fun Run will be taking place at Mohawk Racetrack, one of my favourites. There will be a Mascot Race (which I’ve been training for all winter), a Kids Fun Run and a 5km run. There will be horses, fun games and prizes! And even better, there is a BBQ after. Thank goodness too; just thinking about all that running is making me hungry!

Racing moves back to Mohawk this week, meaning there are lots of fun nights at the track and exciting races taking place soon. Mohawk will be racing 5 days a week with awesome promotions every night. Coming up on June 14^th is the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup where all the best three-year-old pacers will be struttin’ their stuff. Tell Mom and Dad that the first race post time that night is 6:45pm so you won’t miss a minute of the action!

What are you most excited about? What cool things are you doing this summer? Tell me about it! Email me at trotkids@standardbredcanada.ca.

Come out and cheer me on in the Mascot Race on Sunday!

I’ll see you in the winners circle,

Willie Win

P.S. Look at some of the awesome pictures from Giddy Up and Gallop last year!

Hey Kids,  our latest issue of TROT 4 Kids is hot off the press!   The on line version will be on trot4kids.ca after October 10!   If you're one of the lucky ones who receive it in the mail, here are the answers to The Name Game!

Hi guys!

No it can't be, is it that time of the year already?!? You know what I'm talking about, right? It's time to go back to SCHOOLL!!!!

Another summer come and gone, but another year of education awaits you. What did all of you get up to this summer? Any vacations, or sports championships that you would want to share with me? Send me an email at trotkids@standardbredcanada.ca to tell me all about it.

Now that school is just around the corner you must be a little excited to see all of your friends again. What are you looking forward to learning about this year or are you a recess and gym type of person?

Well if you want to catch some great racing action before heading back to school then come out to Mohawk Racetrack on August 31st to catch the Metro Pace and the Canadian Pacing Derby. End the summer with some real live excitement!

Good luck and see you in the winner's circle!!

Willie Win

Hi everybody,

Well I don't know about all of you but my summer is flying by. I can't believe it's almost August already! But, you know what that means, lots of great racing! Now that elimination races have been completed that means the finals are coming up this weekend including the biggest trotting race of the year, the Hambletonian. The 'Hambo' takes place every year at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey and will run on Saturday, August 3rd this year. There is a purse of $1.2 million for the prestigious race of three-year-old trotters.

Also, taking place this weekend is the Battle of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway. The two-year-old pacing colts will be dashing on Monday, August 5th for a purse of $125 000.

But, if you're really looking for some racing action this weekend be sure to come see me racing live at Hanover Raceway on Saturday, August 3rd. I will be taking part of the mascot race which features various mascots from various tracks across Ontario. I'm the heavy favourite to win, of course! Also going on at Hanover on Saturday night is the $70 000 Dream of Glory final.I better see all of you out supporting me and some of the top trotters in Ontario on Saturday night at Hanover Raceway with a 7:30 p.m. post time.

See you soon,

Willie Win

Hey Kids,

How has everyone's summer been so far? Mine's been great so far. I love the green paddocks and warm summer days. What's your favourite part of summer?

In less than two weeks the Maple Leaf Trot returns to Mohawk on Saturday July 20th with a 7:25p.m. post time. Mister Herbie was victorious in the 2012 Maple Leaf Trot and the I Love Canadian Harness Racing favourite, San Pail, was the previous winner in 2011. Here are pictures of each of them winning the Maple Leaf Trot

Be sure to check out the Trot 4 Kids website for cool contests all summer link. Click here to go to the site.

I hope you all have had a great start to your summer and I'll talk to you soon.

Willie Win

Summer is here!!!

Hey Kids,

Schoooollll'ssss out for summer! Now that you don't need to worry about homework for 2 months, what do you guys have going on for the summer? Are you taking a trip or playing any sports? Send me an email an email at trotkids@standardbredcanada.ca to let me know what you're doing. I'm thinking of taking a trip out to the east coast, but we'll see.

Were many of you able to make it to Mohawk for the North America Cup? Thousands of people were there for the action packed night. Race favourite, Captaintreacherous, was able to pull off the win at 1:48.3.

Trevor Henry said he had a great time in France. Although he wasn't able to pull of another win for Canada we sure are proud of him. Trevor wasn't able to get many quality drives in the heats but that didn't stop him from trying. Maybe next time Trevor!

I hope you all have a great start to your summer, and remember to get out any play and maybe help around the barn a bit!!

Willie Win

North America Cup

Hey Kids!

Willie Win checking in before this action packed weekend at Mohawk. In case you didn't already know, the $1 million 30th North America Cup is on Saturday night at Mohawk in Campbellville, Ont. The field of 10 is set for the 7th race on Saturday after 3 exciting elimination, with all 3 eliminations going faster than 1:50. Still remaining the favourite, Captaintreacherous, will be racing from the 4th post position.Here's a picture of Tim Tetrick driving him to victory last year at Mohawk.

Remember, if you want the 'Captain' to win then you will need to cheer for the horse with the green saddle pad and his driver, Tim Tetrick, will be wearing his green and yellow colours!

And, who doesn't want to meet a past NA Cup winner?  2010 NA Cup winner, Sportswriter, will be greeting fans outside the entrance of Mohawk from 5:30 until 8:00. That's not all, some of the top drivers in North America will be signing autographs in the grandstand from 6:00 until 6:30. So, don't be shy and come early to meet some of your favourite drivers before they have to get to work when the races start at 7:05.

Here's a couple quick facts about the NA Cup:
 - it's the richest harness race in Canada with a purse of $1 million
- last year, Thinking Out Loud set an NA cup record with a 1:47.4 mile
- Hall of Fame driver, John Campbell, has the most NA Cup wins with 6
- the North America Cup used to be called the 'Queen City Pace'

I hope to see you all there!!

Willie Win

Trevor Henry's Canadian Colours

Hey there Kids!

Sorry I wasn't able to make it to Trevor Henry's colours presentation on Friday, but my friend Horace was there! Did any of you see him around the track? Anyways, Trevor sure was happy to receive his new Canadian colours and helmet. He was also signing autographs and taking pictures with lucky fans in the lobby of The Raceway at Western Fair before the races. He even wore his new colours that night! I guess you could say he was taking them for a "test drive" and he won 2 races with them. Here's a picture of Trevor with his new colours on with Standardbred Canada President, John Gallinger.

What do you guys think of his Canadian colours? I would love to here some of your ideas. Shoot me an email with your thoughts at trotkids@standardbredcanada.ca. Who knows, we might even use some of your ideas for next years design!! Be sure to wish Trevor luck, as he leaves this week for the World Driving Championship in France.

Also, be sure to check out Horse Day at the CNE in  Toronto this weekend. On Saturday, June 1st  Horse Day is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will feature breed and discipline demonstrations, interactive exhibits, horse games and activities, special guests and much more. There’s something for everyone in the family and it’s free! Canadian 2012 Driver of the Year, Sylvain Filion, will also be there signing autographs and talking to young aspiring drivers to tell them what it takes to be a successful harness driver.

Talk to you soon,
Willie Win

Hi Kids!

Willie Win checking in on this beautiful spring day. I'm sure all of you are very excited for the nice weather and being able to play all your favourite summer sports and watch some exciting races at the track on a nice warm night, or maybe a sunny Sunday afternoon. And something else is just around the corner too. Hmmm, what was it again... oh yeah now I remember, SUMMER BREAK!!!

What plans do all of you have for summer? I'd love to hear about them, so shoot me an email at trotkids@standardbredcanada.ca and tell me all about them. You know what I'm really excited about? The World Driving Championship in France. Trevor Henry will be representing Canada this year and his Canadian colours are going to be presented to him next week on May 24th at Western Fair and it would be great to see all of you out there showing your support for Trevor. Don't worry if you can't make it, if you have some inspirational words for Trevor pass them along and I'll be sure to tell him for you.

GO TREVOR GO!!!!




 Until next time!!!

New April Contest!

Hey Kids!

Willie Win here, I hope you were able to make it out to the Can-Am Expo in Orangeville on Easter weekend.   I heard it was loads of fun! If you were there, feel free to send in a story or photos about your adventures, I would love to see them!

Speaking of photos, I have a new contest with a chance for you  to win some great prizes. All you have to do is come up with a clever or funny caption for one of these photos:

Once you have your caption, you can email it to me at trotkids@standardbredcanada.ca

 

The winner will receive a cool prize pack!

To take a look at the contest page, click HERE (make sure you have permission from your Mom or Dad first!)

Can-Am Equine Expo

Hi Kids!

Willie Win here, how was your March Break? Mine was great; I went skiing and had a lot of fun. Feel free to send me any stories you want to share about your break. 

Now that you’re back to your regular school days, you must be looking forward to the weekends. Speaking of weekends, do you know what’s happening this weekend? It’s the Can Am Equine event happening from Thursday, March 28 until Sunday, March 31 in Orangeville, ON.

Come and check out all of the cool horse exhibits and see what the show has to offer.

Make sure to visit the EquiMania exhibit in the TROT 4 Kids stable! Stop by and learn all about horses, pick up some cool stuff, play some games and maybe learn a thing or two that you didn’t know before!

For more information, click HERE – remember to check with your parents first.

Until next time,

Willie Win.

March Break Fun!

Hey Kids!

I’m back! The weather has been so crazy here that I was snowed in for weeks! When I finally dug myself out I decided it was time to take a vacation to get away from winter. I went to Florida to visit some of my horsey friends that are stabled down there for the winter. It was a much needed break, but I’m glad to be back.

Hey, speaking of vacation, aren’t you all on vacation right now? That’s right, its March Break! How excited are you to be away from school for an entire week?! The mascot gang and I are going skiing this week; I might even learn how to snowboard!

 What are your plans for March break? Here are some fun ideas:

• Go skiing or snowboarding! Don’t know how to? There’s still enough time left of winter for you to learn, it’s not that hard and it’s really fun!
• Did you know that most Zoos are open in the winter? That’s right; you can go to the zoo and visit all sorts of Animals. The Toronto Zoo even has hot chocolate to help you stay warm.
• Go see a movie – now that you don’t have school in the morning, you can go during the week as many times as you want!

Well I hope you have a safe and fun March Break!

Until next time,

Willie Win

Fun at The Royal Winter Fair!

Hey Kids,

Well I had a bit of a break after the home opener at The Raceway at Western Fair on October 12.

I had a great time with Horace, Flamboro Flo and Grandy the Grey.  I even got to meet Greg Blanchard, the track announcer!

This past weekend I went down to the  Royal Winter Fair in Toronto to work at the TROT 4 Kids Stable which is part of the Equimania Exhibit.  I met lots of really great kids and we handed out our 2013 TROT 4 Kids calendar.  I was also able to take in the Super Dogs show and do some early Christmas shopping.

Next I'm off to Nova Scotia to be a guest at the Children's Christmas Party at Truro Raceway!   This is going to be so much fun!

Til next time!