The lucrative 2024 Woodbine stakes schedule was released on Wednesday by Woodbine Entertainment and numerous big race days are sure to attract the attention of the racing world.
The 2024 Stakes schedule has been finalized after consultation with the HBPA. The 2024 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine Racetrack begins on Saturday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, December 15. A total 129 race dates will be contested.
The most famous race on the calendar is the 165th King’s Plate, set for August 17, a Saturday, and one of two $1 million dollar races on the schedule along with the Woodbine Mile (G1) on Sept. 14. The Plate is the first jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown and it will be followed by the $400,000 Prince of Wales at Fort Erie on Sept. 10 and the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes on Sept. 29.
The Woodbine Mile, a Win and You’re In Race for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, this year at Santa Anita in early November, headlines a blockbuster day of racing. Along with the Grade 1 Summer and Natalma, also WAYI races, the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, worth $750,000 has been moved from late fall to complete a strong card.
However, the Taylor has been usually been held on the same day or weekend as the famous Canadian International (G1) but that race, celebrated last year as the 50th anniversary of the great Secretariat’s victory in the turf classic, has once again been shelved. This is the third time the International has been canceled since 2020 (pandemic year). Indeed, the turf feature has been going up against other big turf races south of the border, in particular races at the boutique Kentucky Downs meeting.
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser will be held on Saturday, July 20. The Oaks is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, which is completed by the $250,000 Bison City Stakes (August 10) and $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes (September 8).
Another important date is the Canada Day Racing Festival on Saturday, June 29, which features five graded stakes. The stakes-filled card includes the Grade 2 Highlander Stakes, Grade 2 Nassau Stakes, Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes, Grade 3 Selene Stakes and Grade 3 Marine Stakes.
A number of Grade 3 stakes races, such as the Whimsical, Belle Mahone, Trillium, Seagram Cup, Mazarine and Grey have had purses dropped from $150,000 added to $135,000. The Royal North, dropped to a Grade 3 this year, is down to $135,000 from $175,000.
You can view the entire stakes scheduled here.
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