Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) today jointly announced Woodbine’s 2015 Thoroughbred racing calendar.

Opening day for Woodbine’s 60th season, which will offer 133 dates pending Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) approval, is set for Saturday, April 11, with closing day scheduled for Sunday, December 6.

The 156th running of the Queen’s Plate, first jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing, is set for Sunday, July 5 with a special first race post time of 12 p.m.

Racing will be scheduled for 1:00 p.m. every Friday (beginning April 24), Saturday and Sunday. In addition, a 1:00 p.m. post will be offered for Holiday Mondays May 18, August 3, September 7 and October 12, as well as for the Canada Day card slated for Wednesday July 1.

Wednesday night racing, with a post time of 6:45 p.m., will begin on May 27 and be conducted throughout the season, except for July 1 (which will instead have a 1 p.m. post-time in honour of Canada Day), August 5 and September 9.

Woodbine’s dirt training track will open on February 19 allowing horsemen to begin preparation for the 2015 meet.

The 2014 Woodbine Thoroughbred campaign concludes Sunday, December 7.