Woodbine Racetrack’s 128-race 2026 meet slated to open Saturday

TORONTO — Woodbine Racetrack’s 2026 thoroughbred meet opens Saturday. Some facts:

Race dates: A total of 128, starting Saturday and through Dec. 13.

Triple Crown: First leg is $1-million King’s Plate on Aug. 15 at Woodbine. Following the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on Sept. 7 at Fort Erie Racetrack, the final race will be the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes on Sept. 27 at Woodbine.

Other notable races: $500,000 Woodbine Oaks and $150,000 Plate Trial, both July 19; $1-million Woodbine Mile on Sept. 12 highlights Turf Champions Day. Other Grade 1 races will be $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, $500,000 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes and $500,000 bet365 Summer Stakes. All four winners will earn direct entries to the 2026 Breeders’ Cup. It will mark the first time Woodbine hosts four Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In ” races on the same card; the $750,000 Canadian International goes Oct. 3.

Jockeys to watch: Rafael Hernandez, last year’s leader in wins (148) and purse earnings (over $8.9 million); defending King’s Plate champion Pietro Moran, who was second overall in victories (139) and earnings (over $8.2 million); Emma-Jayne Wilson, who returns after battling injuries last year.

Top trainers: Mark Casse earned his 17th Woodbine title last year after leading in wins (97) and purse earnings (over $7.9). Kevin Attard was third in victories (65) and second in earnings (over $5.9 million) but secured his third King’s Plate with Mansetti. Martin Drexler finished second in wins (81) and third in earnings (over $4 million).

Notable absence: Roger Attfield, who trained a record-tying eight King’s Plate winners and three Triple Crown champions. retired as a conditioner at age 86. But he remains in the business as an owner.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2026.