Woodbine Entertainment has today released the Woodbine Racetrack stakes schedule which will run from June 6 through to December 13.
- Queens Plate scheduled for September 12
- 75 stakes races worth more than C$13.8 million
- G1 Pattison Canadian International canceled
Having already announced the Queen’s Plate would be rescheduled to September 12, Woodbine Racetrack has revealed their summer and spring racing fixture.
It includes 75 stakes races worth more than C$13.8 million.
Of the highlights, the $1 million Group 1 Woodbine Mile has been scheduled for September 19, and a ‘win and you’re in’ qualifier for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
It means for the first time in Canadian racing history that the two major Group One races will feature on consecutive weekends.
Canada racing provisional return date.
The Canadian Triple Crown will get underway with the 161st running of the Queen’s Plate.
It will then be followed by the Prince of Wales at Fort Erie on September 29 and concluded at Woodbine with the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes on October 24.
“It’s been an unprecedented year which has led to a unique stakes schedule that we are very excited about,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.
“The summer stakes schedule will build the anticipation for a very busy and exciting fall at Woodbine Racetrack highlighted by the running of our two biggest stakes races on back-to-back Saturdays.”
With travel restrictions currently in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the G1 Pattison Canadian International has been canceled for 2020.
Key highlights of the new-look racing season include:
- The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series will include the Woodbine Mile, the Summer Stakes (G1T), and the Natalma Stakes (G1T).
- The Woodbine Cares and Ontario Racing Stakes, juvenile inner turf stakes that launched in 2019, will be contested September 19.
- October 18 will feature the E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T), the Northern Dancer Stakes Presented by Pattison (G1T), and the Nearctic Stakes (G2T).
- The Woodbine Oaks will be the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara on August 15.
- There will be six Canadian-foaled classics to receive a purse boost for 2020.
- The Greenwood Stakes has been shifted to Aug. 1 and is one of three Ontario-Bred stakes on the calendar with purses increased from $125,000 to $150,000.
