Woodbine to race 133 days next year

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine will operate a 133-day Thoroughbred meet in 2016, pending approval from the Ontario Racing Commission, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario.

Opening day for the 2016 season is set for April 9, and the meet will conclude on Dec. 4. As usual, the meet will be highlighted by the $1 million Queen’s Plate, which will be run for the 157th time on July 3.

Racing will take place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the meet, with Friday cards beginning on April 22. Post time for most Friday, Saturday and Sunday cards will be 1 p.m. Eastern. Racing also will begin at 1 p.m. on four holiday Monday cards: May 23, Aug. 1, Sept. 5, and Oct. 10.

Wednesday night racing will begin on May 18 and will continue through Nov. 30 with a 6:45 p.m. post time.

Woodbine’s dirt training track will open for the season on Feb. 18.

The 2016 season will be the first meet with a Tapeta main track. Woodbine will remove the existing Polytrack surface and replace it with Tapeta shortly after the current meet concludes on Sunday.