Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Turf Course is scheduled to return to racing several weeks ahead of schedule following the completion of a comprehensive renovation, the track announced Monday.Originally set for Sept. 1, racing will now return to the course Saturday, Aug. 8 pending the successful completion of final evaluations. A single allowance race will be contested that day over the surface to begin.The course closed immediately after the 2025 King's Plate and progressed through the project on schedule. The extensive renovation focused on the backstretch section of the turf course and included the installation of a new drainage system, upgraded irrigation infrastructure, and a completely rebuilt racing profile.Over the coming weeks, Woodbine will continue to evaluate the renovated turf through a series of gallop sessions involving horses and riders. The surface will also be reviewed in collaboration with the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA), the Jockeys' Benefit Association of Canada (JBAC) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) before racing resumes.A series of allowance races will be carded after its anticipated opening Aug. 8. Stakes competition will return to the course on King's Plate Day Aug. 15. The $125,000 bet365 Soaring Free Stakes and $125,000 Catch A Glimpse Stakes will return to their traditional home on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course and once again be contested at their customary distance of 6-1/2 furlongs.“The E.P. Taylor Turf Course has long been one of the defining features of Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine and one of the premier turf courses in North America,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to providing world-class racing infrastructure that supports the long-term success of Thoroughbred racing in Ontario. We're incredibly proud of the work that has gone into this project and excited to welcome horses back to the course in the coming weeks.”The post Racing to Return on E.P. Taylor Turf Course August 8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.