Woodbine Entertainment will begin a major renovation project on the iconic E.P. Taylor Turf Course following King's Plate Weekend, which takes place August 16-17. The project will restore a five-furlong section of the backstretch and install a modern drainage system and new Kentucky Bluegrass, delivering long-term improvements to one of North America's most renowned turf racing surfaces.
During construction, Woodbine's second world-class turf course - the bet365 Inner Turf Course, which opened in 2019 - will serve as the primary turf racing surface until the project's targeted completion on September 1, 2026.
"The E.P. Taylor Turf Course has played host to some of the most memorable moments in Canadian racing, and this renovation ensures it remains one of the finest turf courses in the world," said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "This project is about more than infrastructure--it reflects our long-term commitment to delivering a world-class racing experience for our horses and riders, horseplayers and fans, and the entire racing community."
The 1 1/2-mile E.P. Taylor Turf Course opened in 1994 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the top turf courses in the sport. Its backstretch was originally part of the former Marshall Turf Course, which operated from 1956 to 1993. The E.P. Taylor course is home to many of Woodbine's most prestigious races, including four Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" events - the Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile, Grade 1 bet365 Summer Stakes, Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes, and Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes - as well as the Grade 1 Canadian International.
To support the project timeline, post times at Woodbine Racetrack will be adjusted beginning the week of August 18, 2025:
- Thursday post time will move from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Friday post time will shift from 1:05 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday post time remain unchanged
The fall turf stakes races traditionally run on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course will be contested on the bet365 Inner Turf, including the Woodbine Mile, Summer Stakes, and Natalma Stakes, scheduled for Saturday, September 13. The Breeders' Stakes (Sunday, September 28) and Canadian International (Saturday, October 4) will also be run on the Inner Turf.
