TORONTO, Kan. 鈥� Woodbine Ractrack's '22 thoroughbred season is scheduled to open April 16 and will again be highlighted by the $1-million Queen's Plate.
Woodbine Entertainment unveiled the '22 schedule Friday that's slated to run through Dec. 11.
The Queen's Plate, the opening jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, is scheduled for Aug. 21. It will be followed by the Prince of Wales Stakes on Sept. 13 at Fort Erie Racetrack, with the final jewel, the Breeders' Stakes, slated for Oct. 2, also at Woodbine.
With delayed starts in 2020 and '21 due to COVID-19, Woodbine is eyeing its first full season since 2019, with 133 race dates on its schedule.
"We are feeling very optimistic that 2022 will be a strong season for our entire team and racing community at Woodbine,鈥� Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson said in a statement. "We're heading in the right direction for a return to normal and our racing team has done a great job lining up a stakes calendar that provides excitement all season.
"All horseplayers, fans and participants will immediately take note of several significant days on the calendar that will shine a tremendous light on our world class racing product at Woodbine."
The Canadian Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies opens July 24 with the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks. Also on that card will be the $125,000 Queen's Plate Trial.
The $1-million Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile is scheduled for Sept. 17 at Woodbine.
The Grade 1 E.P. Taylor is slated for Oct. 8. The purse for the 1 1/4-mile race has increased from $600,000 to $750,000.
But for the second time in three years, the Grade 1 Canadian International is being put on hold due to insurmountable international travel challenges. The race was also put on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but was run last year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2022.
The Canadian Press
