Autumn Stakes

Three previously graded races in Canada have been downgraded following an annual review of graded and listed stakes in the country by The Jockey Club Of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee. The Committee reviews the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures and Race Quality Scores (RQS) for all graded, listed and potentially listed races and determined that the GII Autumn Stakes and GII Seagram Cup Stakes, each run at Woodbine, will carry Grade III status in 2025. Additionally, the GIII BC Premier's Handicap at Hastings Park in Vancouver, will be downgraded...

Longtime track superintendent Juan Meza will be retained by Woodbine Entertainment as a Racing Surfaces Consultant, the track said on Monday. Meza served as the track superintendent at Golden Gate Fields for over two decades up until the track ceased operations this past June. Like Woodbine, Golden Gate Fields held racing on a Tapeta (all-weather) racing surface, installing the synthetic track in 2007. Meza's brings an extensive knowledge in Tapeta to Woodbine and has worked closely alongside the surface manufacturer (Tapeta Footings). "The safety and well-being of both our equine...

The final two races on Saturday's live racing program at Woodbine outside of Toronto, including the GIII Autumn Stakes, were cancelled "in the best interest of equine safety," according to a release from Woodbine Entertainment Group. The decision was taken following consultation with the local Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Jockeys' Guild and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The track successfully staged two of the three graded events carded for Saturday, the GIII Maple Leaf Stakes and the GIII Bessarabian Stakes. The Autumn Stakes will not...