The Vigil Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Run in mid May, the Grade III sprint race is open to horses aged four and older. Raced over a distance of 1⅛ miles on Polytrack synthetic dirt, it currently offers a purse of $150,000.
Inaugurated as the Vigil Handicap, it was first run in 1956 at Fort Erie Racetrack 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
- 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) : 1961-1979
- 7 furlongs : 1980–present
Famous quotes containing the words vigil and/or stakes:
“This day is called the Feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day and comes safe home
Will stand a-tiptoe when this day is nam’d
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours
And say, “Tomorrow is Saint Crispian.””
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Law makes long spokes of the short stakes of men.”
—William Empson (1906–1984)