Woodbine Mohawk Park: 2026 stakes schedule released

Woodbine Entertainment today released the schedule for its 2026 stakes season, featuring a trio of million-dollar races and 12 Grade 1 events.

The North America Cup (Saturday, June 13), Mohawk Million (Saturday, September 26) and Metro Pace (Saturday, September 26) remain the crown jewels of the racing season at Woodbine Mohawk Park for 2026.

The trio of Grade 1 million-dollar (CDN) events highlight a prestigious C$20 million-plus stakes program for 2026.

This year will mark the 43rd edition of the North America Cup, which showcases the finest 3-year-old pacers. The Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters enters its seventh year of existence, while the Metro Pace for 2-year-old pacers has been held annually since 1988.

Woodbine’s Standardbred Racing Department did a review of its stakes program following the 2025 season and has made a few changes to conditions and dates for several stakes. The marquee race days remain unchanged in their placement on the calendar.

The following changes have been implemented for 2026:

• Slot price for Mohawk Million increased from $50,000 to $60,000

• After lowering the price by half from $100,000 to $50,000 in 2024, the Mohawk Million has seen large demand to purchase a slot.

• Each of the 10 slots for the 2026 edition will be offered at $60,000 with Woodbine providing the remaining $400,000 of the $1 million purse.

• 2-Year-Old Summer Series Format Changed

• The Dream Maker, Whenuwishuponastar, Millard Farms and Pure Ivory have been changed from two preliminary legs and a final to elimination and a final.

• Nomination and sustaining payments have been added with Woodbine aiming to generate final purses in the $125,000 to $150,000 range, providing local trainers with a significant racing opportunity for 2-year-olds of any sires stakes jurisdiction.

• Canadian Graduate Series Removed

• The 4-Year-Old Canadian Graduate Series will not be offered in 2026 following low nominations and entries.

• Multiple legs were cancelled in 2025 due to lack of entries.

• Date Change for Casual Breeze and Tompkins-Geers

• The Casual Breeze for 3-Year-Old Filly Trotters has been moved from late-August to June (North America Cup weekend) as a more ideal spot on the stakes calendar across North America.

• The Tompkins-Geers for 2-Year-Olds has been moved from late-June to mid-July.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will offer 32 Graded Stakes in 2026, the largest number of any racetrack in North America. The Dream Maker, Whenuwishuponastar, Millard Farms and Pure Ivory each received graded status (Grade 3) this season.

The marquee event days for 2026 are listed below:

• North America Cup – Saturday, June 13

Featuring: North America Cup (G1), Fan Hanover (G1), Roses Are Red (G1), Armbro Flight (G2), Goodtimes (G2), Mohawk Gold Cup (G3).

• Wellwood Memorial & Peaceful Way – Saturday, August 29

Featuring: William Wellwood Memorial (G1), Peaceful Way (G1), Canadian Pacing Derby Eliminations, Nassagaweya (G3), Eternal Camnation (G3).

• Canadian Pacing Derby & Maple Leaf Trot – Saturday, September 5

Featuring: Canadian Pacing Derby (G1), Maple Leaf Trot (G1), Simcoe 3-Year-Old Open Trot (G3), Milton Stakes (G2).

• Mohawk Million & Metro Pace – Saturday, September 26

Featuring: Mohawk Million (G1), Metro Pace (G1), Canadian Trotting Classic (G1), Shes A Great Lady (G1), Elegantimage (G1).

To view the full stakes schedule for 2026, click here.

Nominations for all 2026 major stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park closes February 17.

Woodbine continues to administrate stakes for Ontario racetracks in 2026, including Grand River Raceway, Flamboro Downs, Clinton Raceway and Hanover Raceway.

Stakes payments for all Woodbine administrated events can be made payable to Woodbine Entertainment. Payments can be made through the Race Office, by mail or online.

-edited release (Woodbine)