The Vigil Stakes is a thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a Grade III sprint race open to horses aged three and older with a purse of Can$150,000. It is currently run in late July over a distance of 6 furlongs on Woodbine's Tapeta (synthetic dirt) surface.
Inaugurated as the Vigil Handicap, it was first run in 1956 at Fort Erie Race Track where it remained until 1980. Since inception it has been contested at various distances:
- 5.5 furlongs :1956-1958
- 6 furlongs: 1959
- 6.5 furlongs: 1960
- miles (8.5 furlongs): 1961-1979
- 7 furlongs: 1980âÂÂ2017, 2025-Present
- 6 furlongs: 2018âÂÂ2024
Records
Speed record:
- 1:08.06 - Pink Lloyd (2020) (at current distance of 6 furlongs)
- 1:20.07 - Hollywood Hit (2009) (at distance of 7 furlongs)
Most wins:
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 - Gardiner Farm (1969, 1970, 1973, 1974)
- 4 - Entourage Stable (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
- 6 - Lou Cavalaris, Jr. (1964, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974)
- 6 - Rober P. Tiller (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024)
Winners
- â In 1979, Coverack finished first but was disqualified and set back to third.
See also
References