Toronto, ON – The final race card of the 2009 Woodbine thoroughbred racing season was drawn Thursday morning, signaling the end of the eight-month season.
Sunday’s closing day, which has a first-race post time of 1:00 p.m., features a season-high 173 horses spread over a 13-race card.
The Valedictory Stakes, for older horses, at a mile and three-quarters, is the spotlight event on the meet’s curtain-closing afternoon. It goes as race nine, a race that features 10 runners, including 2007 Pattison Canadian International champion and fan favourite Cloudy’s Knight, who finished second by a nose in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Marathon.
The final horse put through the entry box this year was No Way Hose A, a two-year-old son of One Way Love, submitted by trainer Roger Hasmatali. The bay colt was entered into race four, which drew 12 runners.
“It’s a great card for the last day of the meet,” said Steve Lym, Woodbine’s Director of Racing and Racing Secretary. “It has a lot of quality, including a stakes race that has attracted some top talent from the United States. The last day truly reflects the strong racing we’ve had all year.”
The first horse entered for Opening Day (April 4) in 2009 was High Mist, trained by Reade Baker.
Also on Sunday, in honour of the launch of the new book, The Plate – 150 years of Royal Tradition from Don Juan to Eye of the Leopard, authors Louis Cauz and Beverley Smith will be available to sign copies for fans from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the second floor grandstand.
A reception, for media and invited guests, will take place in the Hall of Fame at Woodbine, starting at noon.
Sunday’s weather forecast, according to Environment Canada, offers a mix of sun and cloud and a high of two degrees Celsius.
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