Woodbine racetrack is a thoroughbred and standardbred racetrack located in Toronto, Canada. It was opened in 1956, on Rexdale Boulevard, west of Highway 27. It is the property of Woodbine Entertainment Group, and is the only racecourse in the North of America that stages both standard bred and thoroughbred horse racing at the same time. In the 90s, approximately twelve streets neighboring the racetracks were named with titles related to horse racing. For example, the Triple Crown Avenue was named as homage to a series of three thoroughbred races usually held annually in Canada. Secretariat Drive was named after one of the greatest thoroughbred horses of the time. The horse was number two in a list of over a hundred horses of the 20th century.
The most notable races that place in woodbine racecourse include Canadian International Stakes, Breeders’ Stakes, the Northern Turf Stakes, Woodbine Mile, Queen’s plate, among others. In the year 1996, Woodbine hosted the Breeders’ Cup. It also hosted the Arlington Million in 1988. The Woodbine is also well-known for hosting the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of fame.
The racecourse has hosted a number of standard bred races over the past few years. For example, since the Breeders’ Crown changed to a one-night event in the year 2010, Woodbine has hosted it three times; in 2011, 2012 and 2015. It also hosted the North America Cup five consecutive times. This sense of consistency has endeared the course to fans, which is one of the reasons it has become a mainstay of Canadian sports and testament to horse racing exceptionalism.
A number of thoroughbred races have also been held in Woodbine. An example is the Northern Dancer , which is usually run as a preparation for the Canadian International. Others include the woodbine Mile, E.P Stakes, and Canadian International, both of which are grade one thoroughbred turf stakes.