The Northern Dancer Turf Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario in mid-September. A Grade I event with a current purse of Can$300,000, it is run at a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles on Woodbine's E. P. Taylor turf course.
| Grade I race | |
 | |
| Location | Woodbine Racetrack Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1953 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Woodbine racetrack |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | Can$227,040 (2016)[1] |
Inaugurated as the Niagara Handicap, it was first raced on dirt at the Fort Erie Racetrack. In 1957 the race was changed to run on turf and was moved to the Woodbine Racetrack in 1985 where for 1986 only, it was run on dirt. The race became part of the Breeders' Cup program and the name was amended to the Niagara Breeders' Cup Handicap. In 2006, the event was renamed to honour Canada's most famous racehorse, Northern Dancer.
Over the years, the race has been run at various distances:
- 1+1⁄16 miles : 1953-1956
- 1+1⁄8 miles : 1957-1975
- 1+1⁄4 miles : 1990-1994
- 1+1⁄2 miles : 1976-1989, 1995 to present
Records
editSpeed Record:
- 2:25.87 - Strut the Stage (2004) at the current distance of 1+1⁄2 miles
Most wins:
- 2 - Marshall Ney II (1957, 1958)
- 2 - Strut the Stage (2003, 2004)
- 2 - Wigmore Hall (2011, 2012)
- 2 - Johnny Bear (2017, 2018)
Most wins by an owner:
- 8 - Sam-Son Farm (1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2020)
- 5 - Gardiner Farm (1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1976)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - Todd Kabel (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
- 3 - Sandy Hawley (1970, 1996, 1997)
Most wins by a Trainer:
- 6 - Lou Cavalaris, Jr. (1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1976)
- 6 - Mark Frostad (1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Winners since 1986
editEarlier winners
edit- 1985 - Sondrio
- 1984 - Cost Control
- 1983 - Norwick
- 1982 - Lord Elgin
- 1981 - Bridle Path
- 1980 - Morold
- 1979 - Dom Alaric
- 1978 - Tuxedo Mac
- 1977 - Momigi
- 1976 - Don Lorenzo
- 1975 - Yvetot
- 1974 - Carney's Point
- 1973 - Fun Co K
- 1972 - Belle Geste
- 1971 - One For All
- 1970 - Panpiper
- 1969 - Hammer Kopf
- 1968 - The Knack ll
- 1967 - Canadel‡
- 1966 - Orbiter
- 1965 - Quick Pitch
- 1964 - Will I Rule
- 1963 - Puss n Boots
- 1962 - Our Jeep
- 1961 - Harmonizing
- 1960 - Moony
- 1959 - Grey Monarch
- 1958 - Marshall Ney II
- 1957 - Marshall Ney II
- 1956 - Captor
- 1955 - Jimminy Baxter
- 1954 - Pheasant Boy
- 1953 - Scene One
- † In 2009, Marsh Side finished first but was disqualified and set back to fourth. On appeal, the original order of finish was restored on May 26, 2010.
- ‡ In 1967, Carteret finished first but was disqualified and set back to last.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Northern Dancer Turf Stakes Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
- ^ Canada to Run 41 Graded Stakes in 2021
- ^ Woodbine: Northern Dancer Turf of 2009 now officialDaily Racing Form, May 6, 2011