The Woodbine Entertainment Group today released its outstanding 2009 standardbred stakes schedule, which includes the 26th renewal of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack and the Breeders Crown at Woodbine Racetrack

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The calendar, worth more than $20 million in stakes finals this year, is the richest on the continent.

The Pepsi North America Cup, WEG's signature harness race, is set for Mohawk on Saturday, June 27. The card will offer more than $3 million in stakes action as also featured will be the $735,000 Fan Hanover Stakes, the $600,000 Elegantimage Stakes and the $280,000 Goodtimes Stakes.

WEG has two other seven-figure events slated for 2009. The $1 million Metro Pace is set for Saturday, September 5 and the $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic will go postward on Saturday, September 19, both at Mohawk.

The Breeders Crown, featuring the two and three-year-old divisions, returns in 2009. The $4 million event is set for Saturday, October 24 at Woodbine.

"We're offering the most attractive stakes program in harness racing," said Bruce Murray, WEG's vice president of Standardbred Racing. "Mohawk will once again showcase all age groups, and with the return of the two and three-year-old Breeders Crown horses, this will enhance the fall move back to Woodbine in October."

Mohawk will play host to several other major events.

The $730,000 Maple Leaf Trot has been moved to Saturday, July 25 from its former September date.

"There has been a gap in our stakes schedule following the Pepsi North America Cup in June until mid-August, so shifting the Maple Leaf Trot will give us a major race to market in July," added Murray.

The $700,000 Canadian Pacing Derby and the $700,000 Shes A Great Lady Stakes are also at Mohawk. Both are part of the Saturday, September 5 Metro Pace card, worth nearly $3 million.

The $515,000 William Wellwood Memorial and the $502,000 Peaceful Way Stakes are paired once again on Sunday, September 20.

The $2.4 million OSS Super Finals (Saturday, November 14), will once again be contested at Woodbine.

To view the entire 2009 stakes schedule, click here.

(WEG)