The Woodbine stakes schedule, released today by the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), is highlighted by the 153rd running of the Queen’s Plate. The 1 1/4-mile classic, which carries a $1 million purse, is set for Sunday, June 24.
The Plate, North America’s oldest continuously-run stakes event and first jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing, will be complemented by three turf stakes events, the Grade 2, $250,000 King Edward Stakes, presented by TVG, the Grade 2, $200,000 Highlander Stakes, the Grade 3, $150,000 Singspiel Stakes, plus the $150,000 My Dear Stakes, contested on the Polytrack.
Woodbine’s richest race, the Grade 1, $1.5 million Pattison Canadian International, is set for Sunday, October 14. The 1 1/2-mile grass event headlines an outstanding card in which the world-renowned E.P. Taylor Turf Course is in the spotlight. The Grade 1, $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes, for fillies and mares, the Grade 1, $500,000 Nearctic Stakes, a six-furlong turf sprint, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Durham Cup Stakes, at 1 1/8 miles on the Polytrack, are also slated for International day.
The International, E.P. Taylor and Nearctic continue to be key events in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series which features a lucrative “Win and You’re In” incentive. A triumph in the International, the E.P. Taylor or the Nearctic (Regally Ready won the 2011 edition and then took the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint) guarantees the victor a berth in the corresponding championship event, three weeks later, at the Breeders’ Cup (November 2 & 3) at Santa Anita in Arcadia, California.
“Last year was once again a strong one in terms of the quality and quantity of European horses that competed in our marquee events,” said Steve Lym, Woodbine’s Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. “The filly, Sarah Lynx, wowed the fans with her magnificent showing in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International.”
The Woodbine stakes listing also features three other “Win and You’re In” events, all turf contests carded on the same September weekend.
On Saturday, September 15, racing’s freshmen turf talents take the spotlight, with the running of the $250,000 Summer Stakes, presented by TVG, a Grade 2 grass event for two-year-olds, and the Grade 2, $250,000 Natalma Stakes, for two-year-old fillies.
The weekend’s third Breeders’ Cup Challenge race is the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile, the highlight of a stellar $2 million-plus day of racing on September 16. The Grade 1, $500,000 Northern Dancer Turf, presented by VTech, the Grade 2, $300,000 Canadian Stakes, for turf fillies and mares, as well as the Grade 3, $150,000 Ontario Derby (1 1/8 miles on the Polytrack) will also take place on Mile day.
“Turallure was impressive in winning the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile, before losing by a nose to 2010 Woodbine Mile winner Court Vision in the Breeders’ Cup Mile,” noted Lym. “The decision by the connections of Sarah Lynx and Turallure to race at Woodbine and their outstanding results speak volumes of how WEG is regarded by the entire racing community.”
Sunday, June 3 will be another big day at the Toronto oval. The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, the first leg in Canada’s Triple Tiara of Racing, is scheduled for that day. Also slated is the $150,000 Plate Trial, the country’s top prep race for the Queen’s Plate.
“Last year, the Oaks gave racing fans a look at what was to come from the talented Inglorious, who would also win the Queen’s Plate in similarly impressive fashion,” said Lym. “These races are a perfect complement to one another on what will be an outstanding card of racing for the fans.”
The Breeders’ Stakes, third and turf gem of racing’s Triple Crown, is set for Sunday, August 5 at Woodbine. The 1 1/2-mile turf race carries a purse of $500,000.
Added-money features, the Summer, presented by TVG, Natalma and Hendrie Stakes were upgraded from Grade 3 to Grade 2 status, while the Bold Venture, Ontario Fashion, Ontario Derby and Mazarine Stakes are now Grade 3 races.
Woodbine’s 2012 meet launches Friday, April 6, with a first-race post of 1:00 p.m.
2012 Stakes Schedule
April
$150,000 JACQUES CARTIER STAKES – Saturday, April 07
$150,000 STAR SHOOT STAKES – Saturday, April 14
$150,000 WOODSTOCK STAKES – Sunday, April 15
$150,000 WHIMSICAL STAKES – Sunday, April 22 (Gr.3)
$150,000 FURY STAKES* – Sunday, April 29
May
$150,000 QUEENSTON STAKES* – Saturday, May 05
$150,000 VIGIL STAKES – Sunday, May 06 (Gr. 3)
$150,000 MARINE STAKES – Saturday, May 12
$250,000 SELENE STAKES – Sunday, May 13 (Gr.3)
$150,000 HENDRIE STAKES – Saturday, May 19 (Gr.2)
$125,000 LADY ANGELA STAKES** – Sunday, May 20
$125,000 NEW PROVIDENCE STAKES** – Monday, May 21
$150,000 ECLIPSE STAKES – Saturday, May 26 (Gr.3)
$150,000 CONNAUGHT CUP STAKES – Sunday, May 27 (Gr.2, Turf)
June
$125,000 BALLADE STAKES** – Saturday, June 02
$300,000 NASSAU STAKES – Saturday, June 02(Gr.2, Turf)
$500,000 WOODBINE OAKS STAKES, presented by Budweiser*** – Sunday, June 03
$150,000 PLATE TRIAL STAKES*** – Sunday, June 03
$125,000 BOLD RUCKUS STAKES** – Saturday, June 09 (Turf)
$150,000 VICTORIA PARK STAKES – Sunday, June 10
$150,000 VICTORIA STAKES – Saturday, June 16
$125,000 STEADY GROWTH STAKES** – Sunday, June 17
$1,000,000 QUEEN’S PLATE STAKES*** – Sunday, June 24
$150,000 MY DEAR STAKES – Sunday, June 24
$250,000 KING EDWARD STAKES presented by TVG – Sunday, June 24 (Gr.2, Turf)
$200,000 HIGHLANDER STAKES – Sunday, June 24 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 SINGSPIEL STAKES, Sunday, June 24 (Gr.3, Turf)
$150,000 CLARENDON STAKES* – Saturday, June 30
July
$200,000 DOMINION DAY STAKES – Sunday, July 01 (Gr.3)
$250,000 BISON CITY STAKES*** – Sunday, July 01
$150,000 ACHIEVEMENT STAKES* – Monday, July 02
$150,000 ONTARIO DAMSEL STAKES* – Saturday, July 07 (Turf)
$300,000 DANCE SMARTLY STAKES – Sunday, July 08 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 COLIN STAKES – Saturday, July 14
$150,000 TORONTO CUP STAKES – Saturday, July 14 (Turf)
$150,000 SHADY WELL STAKES* – Sunday, July 15
$500,000 PRINCE OF WALES STAKES *** – Sunday, July 15 – Run at Fort Erie
$150,000 BOLD VENTURE STAKES – Wednesday, July 18 (Gr.3)
$125,000 PASSING MOOD STAKES** – Saturday, July 21(Turf)
$150,000 ONTARIO MATRON STAKES – Sunday, July 22 (Gr.3)
$300,000 NIJINSKY STAKES – Sunday, July 22 (Gr.2, Turf)
$125,000 DEPUTY MINISTER STAKES** – Wednesday, July 25
$150,000 DUCHESS STAKES – Saturday, July 28
$150,000 VANDAL STAKES* – Saturday, July 28
$250,000 WONDER WHERE STAKES*** – Sunday, July 29 (Turf)
$150,000 ROYAL NORTH STAKES – Sunday, July 29 (Gr.3, Turf)
August
$150,000 SEAGRAM CUP STAKES – Saturday, August 04 (Gr.3)
$125,000 NANDI STAKES** – Sunday, August 05
$500,000 BREEDERS’ STAKES*** – Sunday, August 05 (Turf)
$125,000 SHEPPERTON STAKES** – Monday, August 06
$150,000 ONTARIO DEBUTANTE STAKES – Saturday, August 11
$125,000 ETERNAL SEARCH STAKES** – Sunday, August 12
$125,000 VICTORIANA STAKES** – Saturday, August 18 (Turf)
$250,000 SKY CLASSIC STAKES – Sunday, August 19 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 ONTARIO COLLEEN STAKES – Saturday, August 25 (Gr.3, Turf)
$200,000 PLAY THE KING STAKES – Sunday, August 26 (Gr. 2, Turf)
September
$150,000 SEAWAY STAKES – Saturday, September 01 (Gr. 3)
$125,000 VICE REGENT STAKES** – Sunday, September 02 (Turf)
$200,000 MUSKOKA STAKES*** – Monday, September 03
$200,000 SIMCOE STAKES*** – Monday, September 03
$125,000 KENORA STAKES*** – Monday, September 03
$125,000 ELGIN STAKES*** – Monday, September 03
$125,000 ALGOMA STAKES*** – Monday, September 03
$125,000 HALTON STAKES*** – Monday, September 03 (Turf)
$125,000 LA PREVOYANTE STAKES** – Saturday, September 08 (Turf)
$150,000 SWYNFORD STAKES – Sunday, September 09
$250,000 NATALMA STAKES -Saturday, September 15 (Gr.2, Turf) WAYI
$250,000 SUMMER STAKES – Saturday, September 15 (Gr.2, Turf) WAYI
$1,000,000 RICOH WOODBINE MILE – Sunday, September 16 (Gr.1, Turf) WAYI
$500,000 NORTHERN DANCER TURF-Presented by Vtech – Sunday, September 16 (Gr.1, Turf)
$300,000 CANADIAN STAKES – Sunday, September 16 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 ONTARIO DERBY – Sunday, September 16 (Gr.3)
$125,000 OVERSKATE STAKES** – Saturday, September 22
$150,000 LA LORGNETTE STAKES – Sunday, September 23
$125,000 VICTORIAN QUEEN STAKES** – Saturday, September 29
$125,000 CLASSY’N SMART STAKES** – Sunday, September 30
October
$150,000 CAROTENE STAKES* – Saturday, October 06 (Turf)
$200,000 MAZARINE STAKES – Saturday, October 06 (Gr.3)
$200,000 GREY STAKES – Sunday, October 07 (Gr.3)
$125,000 BULL PAGE STAKES** – Monday, October 08
$150,000 FANFRELUCHE STAKES* – Saturday, October 13
$1,500,000 PATTISON CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL – Sunday, October 14 (Gr.1, Turf) WAYI
$1,000,000 E.P.TAYLOR STAKES- -Sunday, October 14 (Gr.1, Turf) WAYI
$500,000 NEARCTIC STAKES – Sunday, October 14 (Gr.1, Turf) WAYI
$150,000 DURHAM CUP STAKES – Sunday, October 14 (Gr.3)
$250,000 CUP & SAUCER STAKES*** – Saturday, October 20 (Turf)
$125,000 BUNTY LAWLESS STAKES** – Sunday, October 21 (Turf)
$250,000 PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES*** – Sunday, October 28
November
$175,000 MAPLE LEAF STAKES – Saturday, November 03
$150,000 ONTARIO FASHION STAKES – Sunday, November 04 (Gr.3)
$125,000 FROST KING STAKES** – Wednesday, November 07
$150,000 AUTUMN STAKES – Saturday, November 10 (Gr.2)
$250,000 CORONATION FUTURITY*** – Saturday, November 10
$150,000 GLORIOUS SONG STAKES – Sunday, November 11
$150,000 JAMMED LOVELY STAKES* – Saturday, November 17
$125,000 SOUTH OCEAN STAKES** – Sunday, November 18
$150,000 BESSARABIAN STAKES – Saturday, November 24 (Gr.3)
$150,000 KENNEDY ROAD STAKES – Sunday, November 25 (Gr.3)
December
$150,000 DISPLAY STAKES – Saturday, December 01
$125,000 SIR BARTON STAKES** – Sunday, December 02
$125,000 KINGARVIE STAKES** – Sunday, December 02
$150,000 ONTARIO LASSIE STAKES* – Sunday, December 09
$150,000 VALEDICTORY STAKES – Sunday, December 16 (Gr.3)
*starters must be foaled in Ontario
**starters must be sired by Ontario-based stallions
***starters must be foaled in Canada
WAYI “Win and You’re In”
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