Woodbine Racetrack is preparing for a diverse 2020 live racing season with more exciting live races, as well as updated stakes for them. April 18 is about to see the official launch of the Thoroughbred racing season and there are some adjustments to the upcoming dates. The first day of the live schedule is about to feature the Star Shoot Stakes, as well as Woodstock Stakes making it a very special day.
Kickstarting the season I the right way is essential for the entire year. Setting the tone right has been Woodbine Entertainment’s main goal for 2020. Thoroughbred racing is about to return for another riveting season mid-April and Ontario fans are already eager to see everything it has up for grabs across the 133 race dates and 87 stakes events.
Live Racing in 2020
In order to optimize the schedule for the upcoming months and make it more suitable for everyone, Woodbine rescheduled the two racing events for the opening day. Moreover, some minor tweaks had to be introduced to the remaining schedule as well. The changes refer to several events in May.
They are announced several months in advance, to ensure everyone has time to readjust their own schedule. At the very beginning of the month, on May 2, enthusiasts are going to have the chance to watch the Fury Stakes, as well as the Queenston Stakes. May 16 is also going to see some changes, as the Saturday action is scheduled to include the Grade 3 Selene, as well as the Grade 3 Marine races.
One of the reasons for this change has been this year’s The Queen’s Plate race that is scheduled for the summer months. In order to guarantee enough time for the three-year-olds to prepare for the important race, the two live races are going to take place mid-May. Some important changes have also been introduced over the fall months of 2020, starting with the South Ocean race that was moved to November 14.
Changes to the Live Schedule
Other events with changed dates are the Frost King one, Grade 3 Mazarine, Grade 3 Grey, La Prevoyante, Steady Growth, Ballade, as well as the Ontario Jockey Club. In the meantime, Woodbine Mohawk Park also prepares for its live schedule that would commence on May 9. It brings upwards of CA$20 million in stakes bringing premium Standardbred racing.
February 18 brings the nomination deadline for the Mohawk Million special event which is one of the heftier live races this year. The harness racing event is about to be introduced for the very first time at Woodbine Mohawk Park and all eyes are set on its prize reaching CA$1,000,000. The official event is about to take place on September 26.
This event is linked to another premium race – the William Wellwood Memoriam taking place on September 12. The winner of the latter live race is going to deserve the tenth slot at the Mohawk Million race transforming September 26. The first installment for this premium race amounts to US$55,000 and it should be completed by February 18. The second mandatory payment amounts to another US$55,000 that must be paid ahead of June 1.
