Haley’s Honor has honour of first win at Woodbine in 2026

Article content

Jose Campos experienced both the highs and lows of racing in 2025. On Saturday, he got off to the best start possible.

Article content

The veteran jockey got a flying start aboard Haley’s Honor and the pair cruised to an easy win from there, opening Woodbine’s 71st season of thoroughbred racing in style.

Article content

Trained by Steven Chircop, Haley’s Honor was super in winning her third career race, a five-furlong mid-level claiming event.

“She was the best horse in the race,” Campos said of the five-year-old mare. “I just let the filly run like she wants to run.”

An overcast and sometimes rainy day greeted the horses on the first of 128 days of racing in Rexdale. With winter and early spring weather affecting training and most stables still working their way north, the opening card was limited to just seven sprint races with relatively short fields.

Campos, a 34-year-old native of Mexico City, began riding at Woodbine in 2022. Last year, he finished seventh in the Woodbine standings with 46 wins. However, his season was cut short when he suffered a fractured shin on Nov. 22 after being unseated by his mount at the start of a race.

Article content

The winner of the 2024 Prince of Wales Stakes aboard Vitality, Campos understands what he needs to do to achieve success this season.

“I have to be stronger, more focused, and try to do everything better than last year,” he said.

The spotlight was certainly shared on opening day. Christoff Douglas won the second aboard Vandoo for trainer Dale Powell. Daisuke Fukumoto rode Minimum Forty to the third-race win for trainer Bob Tiller. Rico Walcott picked up the mount on Gretna Green and won the fourth for trainer Devon Gittens.

The fifth went to 11-1 long shot Impulsive Bid with Keveh Nicholls up for trainer Preston Ferris. Trainer Debra Rombis sent Chromeplated Heart to win the sixth with Jeffrey Alderson up at odds of 7-1. And Elgin Park won the last with Ryan Munger up for William Tharrenos.

The betting focus was on the mandatory Power Pick 6 payout. 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. Racing resumes on Sunday. The first stakes race of the season takes place next Saturday.

Share this article in your social network