Three new stakes events are being added to the Woodbine Entertainment Group’s 2012 standardbred stakes schedule, while two others are being moved earlier in the calendar
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WEG has added two new spring series for 2012, the Swing Into Spring Trotting Series and the Blossom Pacing Series.
The Swing Into Spring is for trotters, four-year-olds and older in 2012, that are non-winners of $50,000 (fillies and mares $62,500) in 2011. Three-year-olds in 2011 are allowed $25,000 and three-year-old fillies are allowed $31,250. Horses must have made a minimum of 10 starts in 2011.
The first leg is scheduled for Monday, April 16 with a purse of $20,000; the second leg will be contested on Thursday, April 26 for a purse of $30,000, and the final is slated for Monday, May 7 for a guaranteed $50,000 purse.
The Blossom, which is being introduced to coincide with the Youthful Pacing Series for colts, is for three-year-old pacing fillies that are non-winners of three races or $15,000 in 2011.
The first leg is scheduled for Monday, March 26 with a purse of $20,000; the second leg will be contested on Thursday, April 5 for a purse of $30,000, and the final is slated for Saturday, April 14 for a guaranteed $50,000 purse.
A $100 nomination fee for both series is due on February 15.
Also, 2012 is the first year that WEG will hosting the first two legs of the Miss Versatility, which is for aged trotting mares. At Mohawk, the first leg will be held on Sunday, May 20, with the second leg slated on Sunday, July 1 for a purse of $40,000 each.
A $1,500 nomination fee for the Miss Versatility is due March 15 with a sustaining fee due April 15. All cheques are to be made payable and sent to Tioga Downs.
In addition, WEG is moving two of Mohawk's staple stakes events to earlier in the calendar.
The SBOA Trot and Pace, for three-year-old fillies, was originally scheduled for mid-August, but has been moved to mid-May. Eliminations will be contested on Friday, May 18, with the finals slated for Friday, May 25 for an estimated purse of $160,000.
The Armbro Flight, for trotting fillies and mares, three-year-olds and older, has moved from Saturday, July 21, Maple Leaf Trot night, to Saturday, June 16, Pepsi North America Cup Night. Elimination will be held Friday, June 8.
(WEG)