Woodbine, Turfway Park launch 'All-Weather Winners Challenge' series

Turfway Park and Woodbine have teamed up to create the All-Weather Winners Challenge series, with winners of designated stakes at both tracks earning automatic entry with nomination and entry fees paid to stakes across the border.

The new series begins in 2020, with the first eligible winners coming from Woodbine’s 2019 Grey Stakes (G3) and Mazarine Stakes (G3). They've earned free spots in two of Turfway's key races, which will then in turn offer spots in more Woodbine stakes.

Turfway's March 14 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner will earn entry into the May 9 Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine, while the winner of the Bourbonette Oaks will be awarded a spot in Woodbine’s May 10 Selene Stakes (G3).

From Woodbine, the winner of the 2019 Grey Stakes, Chapalu, is already guaranteed a spot in Turfway’s 2020 Jeff Ruby, while the winner of the 2019 Mazarine Stakes on Oct. 5, Curlin’s Voyage, has a free way into the Bourbonette Oaks.

The All-Weather Winners Challenge is the result of collaboration between Tyler Picklesimer, director of racing at Turfway, and Stuart Slagle, director of Thoroughbred race planning and analysis at Woodbine.

“We look forward to working with Woodbine to drive fresh interest in featured races at both tracks and showcase the value of racing on all-weather surfaces,” said Chip Bach, general manager of Turfway Park. “I appreciate Tyler’s and Stu’s initiative in making this happen.”

“We are proud of our Tapeta track and look forward to partnering with Turfway on this cross-border initiative that will showcase our synthetic surfaces,” said Jonathan Zammit, vice president of Thoroughbred racing for Woodbine Entertainment. “It will also bring added excitement to the Grey Stakes and Mazarine Stakes and provide added incentives to the winners.”

Turfway Park was the first track in North America to race on an all-weather surface. Its Polytrack, the track’s only surface for racing and training, was installed ahead of the 2005 September meet. The surface has been remarkably safe both for horses and riders and with rare exceptions has eliminated the need to cancel racing or training due to track conditions.

Woodbine had Polytrack from 2006 through 2015 and installed its current Tapeta track in 2016. The Tapeta track has proven to be a very reliable and safe surface for both equine and human athletes.