is, weve got a great bunch of guys, theyre all hardwor

TORONTO - After guiding Ontarios horse-racing industry through its darkest days, Nick Eaves is handing over the reins.Eaves announced Thursday hell step down as president and chief executive officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group on March 31, ending a 20-year run with the company. When the 46-year-old Eaves departs, Woodbine chairman Jim Lawson will take over on an interim basis.Its largely personal, Eaves said. Its been over 20 years for me and the fact that things are stable and will be better in the days ahead is what gave me the sense it was time.If things werent stable and hadnt been turned around then it would be critically important for me to help to continue to evolve that. But now that weve moved into a better place, Im young and got to think about what the rest of my life and career look like although, frankly, I dont know the answer to that.Eaves has been with WEG since 1994 and held a variety of jobs. In 06 he was named president and chief operating officer before replacing David Willmot as the companys chief executive officer in 2010.It was during the 2012 Queens Plate draw that Eaves dropped a huge bombshell, stating Woodbine might be forced to close following the Ontario governments controversial cancellation of the Slots-at-Racetracks program. The initiative generated $345 million annually that was split between track operators and horse owners and breeders.The cash shortfall resulted in some track closures and forced those that remained to make do with substantially less. Many in the industry had to dramatically scale back operations, including WEG.After reaching a two-year transitional funding deal with the government to continue racing at its two tracks — Woodbine in Toronto and Mohawk in Campbelleville, Ont. — WEG laid off more than 100 employees, roughly 25 per cent of salaried positions.Fort Erie Racetrack wasnt expected to open after the 12 season but earned a reprieve with a one-year transitional funding deal with the government.In October 2013, premier Kathleen Wynne announced Ontario would spend roughly $500 million over five years to help the struggling horse-racing industry. Eaves believes the sport is on stable ground and well on the road to recovery.To have to rationalize the business was obviously a very, very difficult thing for all of us, Eaves said. But to now see it beginning to move in a good direction and see people being attracted back into the industry again and that were hiring again because our business is growing again, thats very very fulfilling.Obviously its going to require a long-term, committed leadership to carry these things forward. Im proud of what weve been able to transform over the last three years but its time for somebody else to lead for the longterm.Coincidentally, Lawson is currently serving as the interim CFL commissioner as the league looks to replace Mark Cohon, who left the post Friday. He said the Eaves and Cohon situations are very similar.These are young, talented guys who want to try that next thing so I wasnt surprised (with Eaves decision), Lawson said. I feel like were on the cusp of really turning the corner for the industry.Ive worked very closely with Nick the last couple of years and hes put his heart and soul into this. I think he feels like weve turned the corner, were there.Lawson said Woodbines next CEO will need to be a multi-talented individual.I think people underestimate what a complicated business this is, he said. Its a company with sophisticated parimutuel wagering and Internet wagering.We have 1,700 full-time employees and probably 7,000 to 10,000 people in the GTA who are dependant on this business. Weve got a big food and beverage business and we have Woodbine and Mohawk (racetracks). Its a big, complicated job . . . you name it, this business has it. Theres a whole lot going on here.And then theres the matter of overseeing the year-round business of horse-racing.First and foremost, were a horse-racing business and our mandate is to promote and have horse-racing thrive in this environment and country, Lawson said. I think we have a duty and responsibility to the province and country to ensure horse-racing is sustainable for the approximately 30,000 people this industry employs in Ontario.You have to understand the horse industry, you must have a passion for it. Its someone who can run a big business and is knowledgeable and passionate about the horse industry because we have a big role to play in it.Eaves has some friendly advice for his eventual successor.Think long term, he said. Its never that easy but certainly having a long-term perspective is vital.Had we been thinking short term, both as we were growing and changing the model, we wouldve made different decisions that I think probably wouldnt been as good. Theres no single piece of good advice but certainly that approach would serve anybody well.Eaves said while he doesnt have a new job on the horizon, he doesnt plan on taking the summer off.I like to be active and fulfilled and no matter what Ill be doing that, he said. I just dont know exactly how.Regardless of his next challenge professionally, Eaves said his time at Woodbine has prepared him well.Im certainly battle hardened, he said. Weve had to look critically at how we run the business and how we make decisions and I think thats always valuable.Weve also had to decide how to re-organize the business and thats not necessarily something I want to have to do again but when you look at the experiences I and others here have had, thats the wonderful thing about a racetrack and the horse-racing business. Its a very varied business and theres all kind of aspects to it and Ive been lucky to be a part of most of them if not all of them. Thats a great foundation that Im very lucky to have.Eaves said the sport and businesses of horse-racing have both dramatically changed over his 20-year tenure at Woodbine and hes very bullish on racings future as well as WEG.When I started, racing in Ontario was almost entirely live at the racetrack, he said. The evolution has been incredible and Ive had the unbelievable good fortune of having a different role in almost every step in the evolution of the business.To have made it through what we as an organization made it through, frankly, was the highlight. I know as this organization moves ahead, which it will, only great things are before it. Custom Jerseys From China . -- Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone above his left eye but has no other serious injuries after being hit in the face by a line drive in a spring training game. Custom Dallas Cowboys Jerseys . Al Horford said all he had to do was make the catch near the basket and then shoot a soft jumper. http://www.jerseyscustom.us/ . Early in the first period, Stuart pinched in from the blue line, hit Nash and was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing. Nash remained in the game for the rest of the first period, but did not return for the second. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. Custom Arizona Cardinals Jerseys .J. - Several people have collapsed in an overcrowded New Jersey train station while waiting in long lines to get to the Super Bowl. TORONTO -- All the stars have arrived. Now the work can really begin. Jermain Defoe practised with Toronto FC for the first time Monday, and declared himself "100 per cent" healthy and keen to start when the club opens its Major League Soccer season on Saturday in Seattle. "Its been a long time talking about it and stuff, so to actually get over (to Canada) and put my boots on and start playing, training. . . its good," Defoe said. "It feels good. Obviously a little bit strange when you first come in, but the lads have been fantastic. Good training session. I feel sharp. So yeah, happy." The 31-year-old striker had been battling a nagging hamstring injury, and didnt play in what would have been his farewell game for Tottenham Hotspur on Feb. 27 at White Hart Lane. Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen said hell wait and see how quickly Defoe adapts to his new teammates this week before deciding if he will start. "Hopefully," Nelsen said. "Weve obviously got to get him up to speed with everything, but if hes fit and raring to go it will be hard to turn down a player of that quality." Some two dozen journalists turned out to Torontos training ground just north of the city to watch the clubs biggest star practise. At one end of the pitch, the five-foot-six striker in electric-blue cleats took turns with Andrew Wiedeman and fellow newcomer Michael Bradley firing shots on Torontos goalkeepers. Defoe shook hands with his teammates, he applauded their efforts. He then dropped to the pitch for a series of crunches, and was the last player off the field. Nelsen practically scoffed when asked how Defoe did. "He was awful. Hes done," the coach said, prompting much laughter. "Again, he came in on Saturday, so we just have to be careful, just with the artificial field and a flight," Nelsen added. "Hes still got that goofy smile, and still enjoys it in the back of the net. Thats all Im worried about." Defoe missed Torontos off-season due to commitments to Tottenham and England. He was the last player to arrive among a group of key off-season acquisitions that included American Michael Bradley, Brazilians Gilberto and Julio Cesar, and Dwayne De Rosario, whos back in Toronto after three seasons with New York Red Bulls and D.C. United. "To see (Defoe) in the locker-room this morning, now its like, alright we can start now," Bradley said. Gilberto, who has been slowed by a quadricep injury, believes it wont take long to develop chemistry with the England striker. "Now that everybody is here, were able to connect, get the chemistry working together as a team, and hopefully within the week well be ready to go," Gilberto said through an interpreter. "I think the chemistry will work right away, Toronto has got no time to wait." Defoe left Spurs with 143 goals to his credit, behind only Cliff Jones (159), Martin Chivers (174), Bobby Smith (208) and the legendary Jimmy Greaves (266) in the club record book. He was sidelined by the hamstring injury when he said his farewell to the fans at White Hart Lane late last month during halftime of a Europa League match against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Defoe was on the bench for Englands friendly against Denmark last Wednesday at Wembley but didnt get a chance to earn a 56th cap in the 1-0 win over Denmark. He said "obviously" it would help if he had participated in Torontos pre-season, but added that "hopefully in training they will understand how I play, and vice versa, and it will be OK." Defoe was asked if he had concerns about playing on the artificial turf Saturday in Seattle, and he said that even praactising on artificial turf might take some getting used to.dddddddddddd Torontos indoor training is on turf, and with no warm weather in sight, it remains to be seen when the team can head outdoors to the pristine grass practice pitches. "Obviously its not something Im used to, to be honest, and even training today, it was the first time in years where Ive actually trained on this kind of surface," Defoe said. "But again, I suppose its something youre going to have to get used to. And you cant really make excuses because its the same for both teams. Same for all the players. Its something you get used to, I suppose its just part and parcel to travelling away and playing on these kind of pitches." Nelsen said the artificial pitch at Seattles CenturyLink Field may determine who plays and for how long on Saturday. "You get the travel, and then you get, not just an artificial field, its a bad artificial field. Its not like this one," Nelsen said. "Its like playing one-and-a-half. . .one-and-three-quarter games in terms of damage to your body. So weve got guys who are healthy but just dont have that hardness of fitness under them, which is a concern." This past Saturday, New York held Thierry Henry and Jamison Olave out of the Red Bulls opener versus the Whitecaps on the turf in Vancouver. Nelsen cautioned it may take some time for the newcomers to develop on-field chemistry, but pointed out the pedigree of his players will help hasten the process. "Theres no magical formula, its not like switching on a light," the coach said. "But when youve got good guys, good character, and good winning mentality, they want to learn. And everybody knows their roles. The right back on this team knows what the strikers are doing, and vice versa. So when everybody knows everybodys jobs it comes quicker." Defoe said he has no concerns about getting to know his new teammates. "Obviously its important around the training ground trying to get to know each individual and how they play," he said. "But I suppose off the pitch is important, getting to know your teammates, because you become a family. So I think thats important, but thats obviously thats something Ill do around the training ground." After the flurry of off-season signings, Defoe and Nelsen shoulder lofty expectations from fans and a front office gunning for the teams first playoff appearance. "The way I deal with it is, weve got a great bunch of guys, theyre all hardworking, they all want to win, well be very well-organized, and weve got players that can turn games," Nelsen said. "So do I worry at night when I go to bed? No, of course not. Its because of those reasons. Youre either going to win and youre going to lose, but what I can tell is all the variables and all the stuff that happens amongst a team Im really happy with. So I can sleep at night very, very well." Defoe, who has scored 19 goals for England, is also hoping to earn a spot in Roy Hodgsons World Cup squad. His competition includes Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck of Manchester United, Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez of Southampton and Andy Carroll of West Ham. "Obviously its at the back of my mind, but first and foremost its important to concentrate on your club, and make sure your form is good," Defoe said. "As a forward you get judged on scoring goals. I think thats on my mind first and foremost, and then well see what happens with World Cup." England has three friendlies left before the World Cup -- Peru at Wembley on May 30 before games in Miami against Ecuador and Honduras ' ' '