2012 Woodbine Racecourse Stakes Schedule Released
With Canada's freezing winter months almost a thing of the past, it's almost time for the start of the 2012 Woodbine racing season, which kicks off on Friday, April 6, and will run for 167 days culminating on December 16, which means plenty of betting action.
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Woodbine is the most important racecourse in Canada, and the only one to offer both thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing programs at the same time. It is owned and operated by the Woodbine Entertainment Group, which recently released the 2012 Woodbine Racecourse Stakes Schedule.
In 2012 Woodbine Racecourse will Host 102 Races
According to the schedule, this year Woodbine racecourse will host 102 races, including stakes races worth a total of $23-million. Woodbine hosts many of Canada's biggest and most prestigious races, which in turn attract millions of dollars in betting action from Canada and abroad, thanks these days to the ease and convenience of global online sports betting sites.
Woodbine races to look out for this year include the $1,000,000 Queen's Plate (Gr 1) over 1 mile on June 24, which has the distinction of being the oldest race in North America, and the first leg of Canada's prestigious Triple Crown of Racing. This epic race will be supported by three turf stakes - the $250,000 King Edward Stakes (Gr 2), the $200,000 Highlander Stakes (Gr 2) and the $150,000 Singspiel Stakes (Gr 3).
In terms of Woodbine's richest race of the year, that honor belongs to the $1,500,000 Canadian International Stakes (Gr 1) over 1 1/2 miles on October 14. As part of that same day's card, Woodbine horse race betting fans can also wager on the $1,000,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (Gr 1) over 1 1/4 miles, the $500,000 Nearctic Stakes (Gr 1) over six furlongs, and the $150,000 Durham Cup Stakes (Gr 3) over 1 1/8 miles.
Races are Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series
What makes each of these races so important is the fact that each are part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, which features the highly-prizes 'Win and You're In' incentive. This means the respective winners of these races automatically receive a berth in the coveted 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships on November 2-3 at Santa Anita Park in California, USA.
Said Woodbine Director of Racing and Racing Secretary, Steve Lym, 'Last year was once again a strong one in terms of the quality and quantity of European horses that competed in our marquee events. The filly, Sarah Lynx, wowed the fans with her magnificent showing in the Canadian International.'
Maple Gambling will feature races, write-ups and odds for the 2012 Woodbine racing season before they occur.
