Super Saturday: Turf Champions Day at Woodbine
TORONTO, September 12, 2024 – The eyes of the Thoroughbred racing world will be on Woodbine Racetrack this Saturday for Turf Champions Day, featuring four Grade 1 stakes events.
The $1 million Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile is the crown jewel of Saturday’s outstanding 12-race card. The $750,000 Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, $500,000 Grade 1 bet365 Summer Stakes and $500,000 Grade 1 Natalma Stakes are all part of the all-star lineup.
The Woodbine Mile, Summer and Natalma are all part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
Saturday’s program also includes the Grade 3 Ontario Matron and Grade 3 Branded Cities Vigil Stakes to bring the total of graded stakes to six.
The lineup of stakes and post times are listed below:
Race 5 – Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma (3:25 p.m. ET)
Race 6 – Grade 3 Ontario Matron (4:00 p.m. ET)
Race 7 – Grade 1 E.P. Taylor (4:33 p.m. ET)
Race 9 – Grade 1 bet365 Summer (5:41 p.m. ET)
Race 10 – Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile (6:16 p.m. ET)
Race 11 – Grade 3 Vigil Stakes (6:47 p.m. ET)
Below is a “Horse to Watch” in each of Saturday’s Grade 1 races:
Race 5 – Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma
#1 Annascaul (Frankie Dettori/Christophe Clement)
Trainer Christophe Clement won the bet365 Summer Stakes last season with Carson’s Run and will look for another two-year-old Grade 1 victory at Woodbine. This daughter of American Pharoah won her career debut in convincing fashion on August 14 at Saratoga. Legendary jocket Frankie Dettori won this race in 2011 with Wild Beauty (GB).
Race 7 – Grade 1 E.P. Taylor
#2 Moira (Rafael Hernandez/Kevin Attard)
The 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year is looking for redemption after finishing second by a neck in last year’s E.P. Taylor. The Kevin Attard trainee scored a thrilling victory over rival #3 Fev Rover (IRE) in the Grade 2 Beverly D on August 11 at Colonial Downs. The two superstars will clash again on Saturday.
Race 8 – bet365 Summer Stakes
#9 Al Qudra (IRE) (William Buick/Charles Appleby)
Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby have won two of the last three editions of the Summer Stakes and have a big shot to win again with Al Qudra (IRE). The son of No Nay Never wil be making his North America debut with two wins in five starts. Appleby has been working Al Qudra (IRE) in the United States over the last month on the turf training track at Saratoga.
Race 10 – Rogers Woodbine Mile
#5 Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) (Kazushi Kimura/Mark Casse)
Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) was the Champion Male Sprinter and Champion Male Turf Horse at the 2022 Sovereign Awards. After a shortened 2023 season, the Mark Casse trainee is on top of his game entering the Woodbine Mile off victories in the Grade 2 King Edward (August 23) and Grade 2 Highlander (June 29). Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) is a perfect five for five on the turf at Woodbine. Casse has won the race twice before with World Approval (2017) and Tepin (2016). Godolphin, Appleby and Buick will be aiming for a third consecutive Mile victory, teaming with #2 Naval Power (GB).
Entries, Post Time, Wagering & Event Details
Post time for the first of 12-races on Saturday’s Turf Champions Day is 1:10 p.m.
Saturday’s card features multiple key wagering opportunities.
- $100,000 Guaranteed Early Pick-5 (starts Race 2)
- $250,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-5 (starts Race 6)
- Power Pick-6 Mandatory Payout (starts Race 7)
- Jackpot Hi-5 Mandatory Payout (Race 12)
Parking and admission to Woodbine on Turf Champions Day is free. Guests attending Saturday’s live racing can receive a free limited-edition Woodbine long-sleeve shirt.
To view the full fields and morning-line odds for Turf Champions Day, click here.
For the latest news and updates, visit Woodbine.com or follow @WoodbineTB and @WoodbineComms on X.
