Woodbine

Airdrie Stud's Beau Liam (by Liam's Map) got his second black-type winner in his first crop of 2-year-olds--and second in a week--Saturday when Border Czar sailed under the wire in the My Dear Stakes at Woodbine. Beau Liam's juvenile filly Lanaluah had captured the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity July 5. Sent as a 6-1 choice on the all-weather surface, Border Czar broke smartly and settled between horses in the second flight but well behind the :22.17 pace. With rider Rafael Hernandez sitting quietly confident until the turn, the bay tipped...

Trainer Mark Casse sent three undefeated juveniles into the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine, and Casson (Caravaggio) emerged as the last man standing of that group to keep his perfect record intact by a clear margin. A four-length winner on unveiling May 11 against local maidens, the gray was a 7-2 chance against his stablemates Jupiter (Upstart) and the flashy Rude Procedure (Authentic). The former went off as the 6-5 favorite and the latter was 2-1. In no rush initially, Casson had a head on Valley of Kings (Classic Empire) while...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Sigh No More in the Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth. Boiling Springs Stakes To Sigh No More Heider Family Stables' Sigh No More ran out a 1 1/2-length winner of Monmouth Park's Boiling Springs Stakes at the end of last month (video). Conditioned by Brendan Walsh, the daughter of Starspangledbanner was making her second US start. Bred by Barronstown Stud out of the...

7th-ELP, $100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 3:42 p.m. ET. INTEGER (Candy Ride {Arg}) makes his first start for St. Elias, West Point, Don Alberto, Woodford and CJ Stables. An $800,000 buy at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, the Steve Asmussen trainee is the lone foal out of GSW Magic Star (Scat Daddy), who sadly passed away in 2022. The gelding's second dam is GI Matron Stakes heroine Meadow Breeze (Meadowlake), whose half-brother is GI Arkansas Derby champ Overanalyze (Dixie Union). Set for his unveiling is Snowdrift (Medaglia d'Oro) and the...

It's not often considered a head-scratching race when a reigning Canadian Horse of the Year wins over a strong field that includes two other Canadian champions, but that's exactly what happened Saturday in the GII Bet365 Highlander Stakes at Woodbine. Sure, 4-5 choice Patches O'Houlihan (Reload) won, just like he was supposed to, but it was the manner in which he won--veering out badly--that left perhaps more questions than answers. As a precaution after pulling up, he was vanned back to his barn and examined by veterinarians. It was quickly...

About the only thing missing from Saturday's $1-million GI Stephen Foster Stakes is a Horse of the Year--for good measure, she runs elsewhere on Saturday's blockbuster program on the final weekend of racing at Churchill Downs--but the nine-furlong event is rich in quality and brings together the winners of such prestigious events such as the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the GI Kentucky Derby, and the G1 Dubai World Cup. A 'bananas' Foster, indeed. The horses that will line up for the 'Win and You're In' qualifier for this year's Classic...

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Nitti in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes.  Make Believe Brings Up A Santa Anita Double Make Believe's Nitti captured the GIII San Juan Capistrano Stakes at Santa Anita for trainer Leonard Powell on June 15 (video). It was a first black-type win for the 4-year-old gelding who races for Innergy Racing Corp, Zephyr Racing and Sonny Pais. Bred by John Walsh, Jerry O'Brien and the...

Woodbine will delay the starting post time for the Sunday, June 22 card to 4 p.m. due to extreme heat forecast in the Toronto area, the track announced Friday. The release notes that the decision was made to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of [the] horses and all racing participants, with approval from the AGCO and consultation with the HBPA. Throughout the weekend, Woodbine will put additional safety measures in place, including shorter post parades and increased water/hose access for all horses pre- and post-race. Saturday's first post remains unchanged...

Woodbine Entertainment has relaunched the philanthropic initiative Woodbine Cares under a renewed banner: "For the Love of the Horse Racing Community," according to a track release Wednesday. "This refreshed focus on 'For the Love of the Horse Racing Community' reflects our organization's commitment to what matters most - the people, the horses, and the entire racing community," said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. "By concentrating our efforts on horse welfare and on those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, Woodbine Cares is helping build a vibrant and sustainable future for...

Woodbine cancelled its Friday races due to poor air quality from wildfires in the area, the racetrack said in a press release. Environment Canada's air quality index for Toronto was listed as 'High Risk' Friday and was expected to remain at that level throughout the day. As of Thursday, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center said 201 fires were burning in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, with half of them considered "out of control." Woodbine Entertainment's decision to cancel came through consultation with the HBPA and the Alcohol...

Trainer Brian Knippenberg knew there was something wrong with Mercante (Gun Runner), but didn't know what it was. He also knew that the horse had a ton of talent and maybe he could patch him up and he'd be a useful horse. Not many would have done so. It would have been easy to give up on a horse that was sidelined for 15 months after he finished third in a July 22, 2023 allowance race at Saratoga for trainer Bill Mott. Fast forward to the present and Mercante looks...

Unraced since November, last year's King's Plate winner and Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach) returned in great style to Woodbine Saturday, winning the GIII Belle Mahone Stakes to open her 2025 season. Having beaten the boys in the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the filly, named for WNBA player Caitlin Clark, returned to facing her own gender Saturday having been third behind She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland and fourth in the GIII Maple Leaf to...