Autumn Stakes
The Autumn Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Run in mid November, it is open to horses aged three and older. It was raced on dirt until 2006 when the track's owners installed the new synthetic Polytrack surface. In 2008, the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the Autumn Stakes to Grade II status.
The inaugural running in 1902 was won by the filly Janice, owned and trained by the prominent Kentucky horseman, Green B. Morris. Beginning in 1920, Kentucky Derby winner and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Exterminator, won the race three straight years, more than any other horse. Called the Toronto Autumn Cup before 1931, and Autumn Stakes Handicap from 1953 to 1954, it was run in two divisions in 1980 and 1981. There was no race held in 1917, 1918, 1919, 1940 and 1950. Since inception, the race has been run at various distances.
Woodbine Racetrack Graded Stakes Races
| Stakes Race | Grade | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| Eclipse Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Nassau Stakes | II | $300,000 |
| King Edward Stakes | II | $250,000 |
| Highlander Stakes | II | $200,000 |
| Singspiel Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Queen's Plate Stakes | I | $1,000,000 |
| Dominion Day Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| Dance Smartly Stakes | II | $300,000 |
| Ontario Matron Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Nijinsky Stakes | II | $300,000 |
| Royal North Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Sky Classic Stakes | II | $250,000 |
| Ontario Colleen Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Play the King Stakes | II | $200,000 |
| Seaway Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Natalma Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| Summer Stakes | III | $250,000 |
| Canadian Stakes | II | $300,000 |
| Northern Dancer Turf Stakes | I | $500,000 |
| Woodbine Mile Stakes | I | $1,000,000 |
| Selene Stakes | III | $250,000 |
| Grey Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| Nearctic Stakes | I | $500,000 |
| E.P. Taylor Stakes | I | $1,000,000 |
| Canadian International Stakes | I | $1,500,000 |
| Autumn Stakes | II | $150,000 |
| Kennedy Road Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Bessarabian Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Valedictory Stakes | III | $150,000 |
