Summer Stakes

In a desperate run to the finish, 6-1 shot Argos (Nyquist) just outlasted a furious late charge from European invader and 'TDN Rising Star' Wild Desert (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) to steal the bet365 Summer Stakes at Woodbine, a Win and You're In race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. A debut winner sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Ellis Park for trainer Kevin Attard, who earned his first Summer win since he legged up Gary Stevens aboard El Soprano (El Prado {Ire}) in 2001, Argos...

Charlie Appleby says it's not easy to come over to North America and win major stakes, even though he makes it look that way. On Saturday at Woodbine, Appleby will send out three horses, all of them in Grade I competition, and each one looks to have an excellent chance. He usually does well when he ships to anywhere in North America, but has been particularly tough at Woodbine, where he is 9-for-17 (53%). All nine of his Canadian winners have come in Grade I stakes. "We have sent the...

Renovations to the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine will begin the week of Aug. 18, 2025. The project will restore a five-furlong section of the backstretch run and install a modern drainage system and new Kentucky Bluegrass. For the remainder of the season until the completion of the project in September 2026, turf racing will be conducted on the bet365 Inner Turf Course. "The E.P. Taylor Turf Course has played host to some of the most memorable moments in Canadian racing, and this renovation ensures it remains one of...

Britain's first-crop Kitten's Joy stallion Kameko got his first Grade I victory Saturday across the pond with Qatar Racing's New Century (GB) (c, 2, Kameko--Potent Embrace, by Street Cry {Ire}), who captured the GI bet365 Summer Stakes at Woodbine for conditioner Andrew Balding and earned a Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November. Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never), a Charlie Appleby shipper whom New Century chased home in July at Ascot in the Pat Eddery Stakes, was...

Charlie Appleby makes the trip across the pond with a strong chance to earn a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf when he sends out Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Woodbine's GI Summer S. Sunday. Graduating at second asking at Haydock June 9, the Godolphin homebred followed suit with a decisive score at that oval July 17 and captured the Stonehenge S. at Salisbury Aug. 20. Frankie Dettori also makes the trip to Canada to ride. Mark Casse has won this event four times, including...

Fog of War (War Front--Say {Ire}, Galileo {Ire}), winner of the GI Summer S. at two, will stand the 2021 season at Questroyal/Hidden Lake Farm near Stillwater, New York. The 4-year-old stands as property of White Birch Farm Inc. and Three C Stables LLC with a stud fee set at $7,000, live foal stands and nurses. A $400,000 Keeneland September yearling, Fog of War was purchased by White Birch Farm and raced under the colors of Peter M. Brant his entire career. He was trained by Chad Brown. Fog of...

Gretzky the Great (Nyquist) will be favored to become his freshman sire's second top-level scorer Sunday in Woodbine's GI Summer S., which grants the winner a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Second behind subsequent Victoria S. winner Ready to Repeat (More Than Ready) in his grass debut here July 12, he graduated at second asking in an off-the-turf sprint here Aug. 2. The Mark Casse pupil captured the Soaring Free S. going 6 1/2 panels on the local lawn next out Aug. 23, giving...