The big ones are coming up quickly, with the Woodbine Oaks on Aug. 1 and the Queen's Plate on Aug. 22. Who are the contenders?
Races
Connaught Cup (G2) just one of several thrilling grass races; two veteran US jockeys set to make Woodbine home.
Elizabeth and Gordon Lickrish have been racing and breeding horses in Ontario for several decades and Golden Vision wins big at Woodbine.
Hot Rod Charlie won the Grade 1 feature at the New Jersey track but was disqualified after Midnight Bourbon appeared to clip heels.
Weyburn is a unanimous number one, although unlikely to run in the Plate; Hombre and Keep Grinding follow in the voting points.
The Grade 2 Connaught Cup on Sunday, July 18, is the featured race of the weekend at Woodbine that will open up more to fans.
Stakes stars and multi-leg wagers and carryovers have been attractive to bettors as track awaits return of spectators.
The nine trainers involved in the appeal have lost over $200,000 in prize money after their horses tested positive last year.
American-breds won the two graded stakes races for 3-year-olds at Woodbine on July 10 and 11, but Tio Magico scoots in Queenston.
And Oaks contender Munnyfor Ro impresses as runner-up to Our Flash Drive in Selene Stakes for trainer Kevin Attard.
John Fowlis, Jamie Graham and trainer Craig Smith may have a Canadian Derby contender with $4,500 purchase Jumeirah Coast.
Saturday features the fillies in two stakes races, the Selene and Fury; on Sunday the boys battle it out in the Marine and Queenston.
Many factors have led to the number of trainers in North America decreasing sharply in recent years, says Matt Stahl for Horse Racing Nation.
American-based colts rated highly on Plate contenders' list, while light Woodbine Oaks list has just 26 fillies.
With purse money set to run out August 2nd, the meet at the Vancouver track can now run through to the end of the month.
