Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced the first segment of Woodbine’s 2013 Thoroughbred stakes schedule.
Thirty-seven added-money events, with purses ranging from $125,000 to $1 million, are planned through July 7.
The 154th edition of the Queen’s Plate, first jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing, will carry a guaranteed purse of $1 million. The 1 1/4-mile event is set for Sunday, July 7. It will be carried nationwide on CBC.
Four other stakes, including three graded turf races, are also scheduled on the Queen’s Plate program. The Grade 2, $200,000 Highlander Stakes, the Grade 2, $200,000 Dance Smartly Stakes and the Grade 3, $150,000 Singspiel Stakes will add grass flavour to the Plate card. The Clarendon Stakes, at $150,000, also earns billing that day.
“We release this 12-week calendar with guaranteed purses to provide confidence for horsemen as they plan their racing season,” said Steve Koch, WEG’s Vice-President of Thoroughbred Racing. “We will release a full year stakes schedule after the industry has finalized funding projections.”
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, first leg in Canada’s Triple Tiara of Racing, is scheduled for Sunday, June 9. Also slated is the $150,000 Plate Trial, the country’s top prep race for the Queen’s Plate. Both races will also be carried on CBC.
The $150,000 Star Shoot Stakes kicks off the stakes calendar when the 133-date Woodbine meet launches on Saturday, April 20.
2013 Stakes Schedule (through July 7)
April
$150,000 STAR SHOOT STAKES – Saturday, April 20
$150,000 WOODSTOCK STAKES – Sunday, April 21
$150,000 JACQUES CARTIER STAKES – Saturday, April 27
$150,000 WHIMSICAL STAKES – Sunday, April 28 (Gr.3)
May
$150,000 FURY STAKES* – Saturday, May 4
$150,000 QUEENSTON STAKES* – Saturday, May 11
$200,000 ECLIPSE STAKES – Sunday, May 12 (Gr.2)
$125,000 BALLADE STAKES** – Saturday, May 18
$150,000 SELENE STAKES – Sunday, May 19 (Gr.3)
$125,000 NEW PROVIDENCE STAKES** – Monday, May 20
$125,000 LADY ANGELA STAKES** – Saturday, May 25
$200,000 NASSAU STAKES – Saturday, May 25 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 MARINE STAKES – Saturday, May 26
$200,000 CONNAUGHT CUP STAKES – Saturday, May 26 (Gr.2, Turf)
June
$150,000 HENDRIE STAKES – Saturday, June 1 (Gr.3)
$150,000 VIGIL STAKES – Sunday, June 2 (Gr. 3)
$125,000 BOLD RUCKUS STAKES** – Saturday, June 8 (Turf)
$125,000 TRILLIUM STAKES – Saturday, June 8
$500,000 WOODBINE OAKS STAKES, presented by Budweiser*** – Sunday, June 9
$150,000 PLATE TRIAL STAKES*** – Sunday, June 9
$125,000 ALYWOW STAKES – Sunday, June 9 (Turf)
$125,000 ZADRACARTA STAKES* – Saturday, June 15 (Turf)
$125,000 STEADY GROWTH STAKES** – Saturday, June 15
$150,000 VICTORIA PARK STAKES – Sunday, June 16
$150,000 VICTORIA STAKES – Saturday, June 22
$200,000 KING EDWARD STAKES – Sunday, June 23 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 ACHIEVEMENT STAKES* – Saturday, June 29
$250,000 BISON CITY STAKES*** – Sunday, June 30
July
$150,000 DOMINION DAY STAKES – Monday, July 1 (Gr.3)
$150,000 MY DEAR STAKES – Saturday, July 6
$125,000 SWEET BRIAR TOO STAKES – Saturday, July 6
$125,000 CHARLIE BARLEY STAKES – Saturday, July 6 (Turf)
$1,000,000 QUEEN’S PLATE STAKES*** – Sunday, July 7
$200,000 HIGHLANDER STAKES – Sunday, July 7 (Gr.2, Turf)
$150,000 SINGSPIEL STAKES Sunday, July 7 (Gr.3, Turf)
$150,000 CLARENDON STAKES* – Sunday, July 7
$200,000 DANCE SMARTLY STAKES – Sunday, July 7 (Gr.2, Turf)
*starters must be foaled in Ontario
**starters must be sired by Ontario-based stallions
***starters must be foaled in Canada
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