Woodbine sets stakes schedule for delayed meeting
Woodbine unveiled its updated stakes schedule for the 2021 racing season on Friday. Originally scheduled to begin April 17, the meet has been delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario. Based on recent government announcements, Woodbine is targeting a June 18 start date, with the possibility of an earlier start if restrictions are modified soon.
The stakes program offers more than $16.5 million in purses, including 39 graded stakes and two $1 million fixtures, the Queen’s Plate and Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.
The delayed start of the meet forced the restructuring of dates for the majority of stakes offered, but Woodbine was able to maintain the original dates for most of its marquee races.
“We are pleased that we were able to avoid major changes to our stakes schedule, setting up for an exciting 2021 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. “As a result of the delayed start, we expect our season to start strong and build momentum as it heads into the summer with the Queen’s Plate and its prep races, followed by a really exciting stakes schedule in the fall, including an unprecedented Woodbine Mile weekend that includes two other Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In races, and the return of the Canadian International.”
The Queen’s Plate remains on its original date of Sunday, Aug. 22, with this year’s running marking the 162nd edition of the iconic race. The Woodbine Mile, the Grade 1 Canadian International, and the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes will be contested on Saturday, Sept. 18. The Grade 1 Natalma and Grade 1 Summer, each with a boosted purse of $400,000, will go on Sunday, Sept. 19. The Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes and Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes remain on Sunday, Oct. 17.
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks and the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes, both key preps for the Queen’s Plate, have been moved back a week from July 25 to Sunday, Aug. 1.
The dates for the remaining Canadian Triple Crown legs remain intact. Following the Queen’s Plate, the $400,000 Prince of Wales is scheduled for Sept. 14 at Fort Erie, and the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes goes Oct. 3 at Woodbine.
There are two stakes scheduled for opening day, the $125,000 Star Shoot for 3-year-old fillies and the Grade 3 Whimsical for fillies and mares. The following day, June 20, has two stakes, the $125,000 Woodstock for 3-year-olds and the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier for older runners. The six-furlong Jacques Cartier will likely be headed by perennial Canadian champion male sprinter Pink Lloyd and should also include Grade 1-placed Souper Stonehenge, who has been tearing up the Tapeta in the mornings at Woodbine.
The traditional closing day feature, the Grade 3 Valedictory goes Dec. 5 and has been shortened from 1 3/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles.
Earlier this year, Woodbine Entertainment announced that all Grade 3 stakes would receive a purse increase of 20 percent, while listed stakes would be boosted from $100,000 to $125,000.