EVERGREEN® RADIANT Turf Covers Off to the Races at Woodbine

Etobicoke, Ontario - COVERMASTER® sets the pace with turf growth covers at the E.P. Taylor turf racetrack.

Way back in 1881, the Ontario Jockey Club (OJC) was created to improve the quality of horse racing in Toronto and was led by then President, William Hendrie, who went on to establish a dynasty in Canadian thoroughbred horse racing. In 1953, E.P. Taylor, a Canadian tycoon and philanthropist, took over the reins. By 1956, he had bought out competing racetracks, moved stake races to the new Woodbine track, and evolved the Canadian horse racing industry.

Today, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has continued the tradition of the OJC with premier horse racing excellence. Prior to the opening of the bet365 Inner Turf Course at Woodbine in 2019, COVERMASTER® EVERGREEN® RADIANT Turf Covers were used to protect the new turf during the harsh winter months and promote turf growth in the spring. These winter turf blankets resulted in lower maintenance costs and earlier green ups.

In 2025, WEG began a major renovation of its iconic, 1½-mile E.P. Taylor Turf Course. It restored a five-furlong section of the backstretch with a modern drainage system and new Kentucky Bluegrass. Once again, COVERMASTER® was contacted for the proven performance of its EVERGREEN® RADIANT Turf Covers. Over 362 thousand square feet divided into 40 sections were used to radiate heat back into the new turf and retain up to 25% of that heat for faster growth and earlier spring green ups. It’s another big win for WEG and COVERMASTER®.

Posted May 15, 2026