Following a brief break, live Standardbred racing will resume this Saturday evening (January 6) at Woodbine Racetrack for the track’s first card of 2018.

A new post time of 7:10 p.m. will be in effect when racing resumes on Saturday.

The opening card of the 2018 season will feature 12 races and all the signature wagers of the Woodbine Standardbred product, including the $50,000 Pick-5, $50,000 Early Pick-4 and the Jackpot Hi-5.

The Pick-5, which starts each evening on the first-race, became the most popular wager on the menu during 2017. The average Pick-5 pool during the month of December (15 cards) was $82,952. The Pick-5 pool topped $100,000 twice during the final month of 2017.

The new season carries with it a reset for all the stats and standings. Many drivers and trainers will be looking to make an immediate dent in the standings on Saturday evening.

Doug McNair, last season’s leading driver, has been listed in eight of Saturday’s 12 races. McNair will be teaming up with leading trainer Richard Moreau for three of those races.

Moreau’s barn will be very active on Saturday, as it will send out 10 starters during Woodbine’s opening card of 2018.

The feature race for Saturday’s season-opening card will be the $27,000 10th race (non-winners of $34,000 last five starts).

A field of seven older pacers will clash in Saturday’s top class, with five of the pacers (Fine Diamond, American Virgin, Jins Shark, Prescotts Hope and Nirvana Seelster) having recorded a victory in the Woodbine Preferred on their card.

Following Saturday’s season-opening card, live Standardbred racing will continue each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Woodbine.

To view the overnight sheet and program proof for Saturday’s card, click here.

To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Woodbine, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Woodbine Racetrack.

Post time Saturday is 7:10 p.m.

(With files from WEG)