Woodbine Schedules 102 Stakes for 2015 Meet
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Woodbine Entertainment released a 2015 Thoroughbred stakes schedule consisting of 102 stakes races worth more than $20 million in purses for the 133-day meet at Woodbine.
The meet at the Ontario track that begins April 11 and concludes Dec. 6 is highlighted by the 156th running of the Queen's Plate. The 1 1/4-mile classic, which carries a $1 million purse, is set for July 5.
North America's oldest continuously-run stakes event and first jewel in Canada's Triple Crown of racing, the Queen's Plate will be complemented by three graded turf events.
The $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) is slated for Sept. 13 on a card that also includes the $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (Can-IT), $300,000 Canadian Stakes (Can-IIT), and $150,000 Bold Venture Stakes (Can-III). The $1 million Pattison Canadian International (Can-IT) is set for Oct. 18, the same day as the $500,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT).
Woodbine will again be a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series in which a score in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile, Canadian Stakes, Natalma Stakes (Can-IIT), or Summer Stakes (Can-IIT) guarantees the victor a berth in the corresponding championship event at the Breeders' Cup World Championships Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland in Lexington.
The Breeders' Stakes, third leg of Canada's Triple Crown, is set for Aug. 16 at Woodbine. The 1 1/2-mile turf race carries a purse of $500,000.
2015 Woodbine Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule