Helping Bettors Scratch That Itch Since 1956
The Toronto, Ontario-based Woodbine Racetrack first opened its doors to the betting public on June 12, 1956. It was originally known as New Woodbine Racetrack due to the existence of a nearby course that began offering a plethora of wagering options for bettors of all types in 1874.
Woodbine showcased the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 1996, the only time it has been held outside of the United States.
Among the highlights that year, Jenine Sahadi became the first female trainer to win a Breeders’ Cup race when Lit de Justice took the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. In that year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, the headlining event, the future Hall of Famer Cigar failed to defend his title, having won 1995 running at Belmont Park.
Woodbine annually plays host to several of Canada’s biggest races.
The season’s first flagship race is the $1 million Queen’s Plate Stakes, which serves as the opening leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, restricted to Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds.
Unlike its American counterpart, the Canadian Triple Crown is held over three separate surfaces: the Queen’s Plate over the Tapeta synthetic surface; the Prince of Wales’ Stakes over nearby Fort Erie Racetrack’s dirt course; and the Breeders’ Stakes, competed on the E. P. Taylor turf.
The second and third flagship races of the season, the $1 million Woodbine Mile and the $600,000 Canadian International, will both be run on Saturday, September 18. These races, which are both open to horses aged three and up, are both run on Woodbine's famed E. P. Taylor turf course.
The E. P. Taylor turf course is a mile and a half around, and forms the sweeping outer course at Woodbine. Both races have drawn the best horses from North America and beyond throughout their histories.
The Casino at Woodbine
In addition to the live horse racing at Woodbine, the track is also the location of a year-round casino, offering live table games, slots, e-table games and stadium games. There are a half-dozen full-service restaurants, bars and lounges at Woodbine, and numerous fast-food outlets.