The Nearctic Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The Grade II sprint is raced on turf over a distance of six furlongs and currently offers a purse of $232,290. Previously a Grade II race, it was upgraded to Grade I status for 2010 but has returned to Grade II. Inaugurated in 1973 to honor Windfield's Farms champion Nearctic, the 1958 Canadian Horse of the Year, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, and sire of the 20th Century's most important sire, Northern Dancer. The Nearctic Stakes was raced on dirt until 1995 when it was shifted to the Turf. Records Speed record on turf: 1:07.60 - Wild Zone (1996) Speed record on dirt: 1:09.00 - Megas Vukefalos (1992) Most wins: 2 - Play The King (1987, 1988) 2 - Wild Zone (1995, 1996) Most wins by an owner: 3 - Sam-Son Farm (1978, 1989, 2003) Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Robin Platts (1973, 1974, 1975, 1979) Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Daniel J. Vella (1990, 1994, 1995) Winners of the Nearctic Stakes See also List of Canadian flat horse races Graded stakes races in Canada Turf races in Canada Open sprint category horse races Breeders' Cup Challenge series Woodbine Racetrack Recurring sporting events established in 1973 1973 establishments in Ontario