The Picks: Graded Stakes Galore at Woodbine Saturday!

HBPA
Nov 7, 2025
2 min read

A sure-cure for Breeders' Cup withdrawal is a super card of racing at Woodbine on November 8, featuring three graded stakes races. Two of Ontario's oldest stakes races are races 7 and 10, the Grade 3 Maple Leaf and Autumn Stakes and both are being run for the 119^th time. Between those two route races is the seven-furlong Bessarabian Stakes, which has only been around since 1985.

At least one of these stakes races, the Autumn, could play a role in what horse might be voted Canada's Champion Older Male/Main Track for 2025 with Swift Delivery, Cool Kiss and Classic Mo Town in the hunt.

Here are some picks for the big three races:

RACE 7 – The 119^th MAPLE LEAF STAKES (G3), 3-year-olds & upward, fillies and mares, 1 1/4 miles, Tapeta

The late Pick 5 starts here and this is a tricky race to decipher especially because of the testing distance. Fair Hill shipper

(2) FOR FLYING (BRZ) makes her fourth start at Woodbine this year (she was 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th in three previous graded stakes attempts) and her one-paced style of running should be well suited to the distance. For Flying missed by a nose in a Group 1 in her homeland at this distance. The addition of Canada's reigning champion jockey Sahin Civaci is a bonus.

(1) HURRICANE CLAIR could lead for a long time and (4) LONG AGO (GB) exits tough races on the grass.

RACE 9 -BESSARABIAN STAKES (G3); 3-year-olds & upward; fillies and mares; 7 furlongs, Tapeta

This stakes race drew an overflow field of 16 and arguably the most talented gal in the field is stranded on the also eligible list, (16) ELLEN JAY, a daughter of American champion mare Covfefe and an unlucky 2^nd in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Master last time. If she draws in, she is the pick.

Of course, any horse sent to Woodbine by trainer Miguel Clement (5 for 14 here this year) must be respected and (2) LES REYS (FR) just won the Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) while (1) LOVE CERVERE has won three turf stakes in 2025 including one at Woodbine.

(12) CAITLINHERGRTNESS sprints for the first since Feb. 2024 but she has much class.

RACE 10 – The 119^th AUTUMN STAKES (G3); 3-year-olds & upward; 1 1/8 miles, Tapeta

In June, the Wesley Ward trainee (7) FUNTASTIC AGAIN sailed to victory in the Dominion Day Stakes (G3) in his first trip to Woodbine. He has not raced since then but has been working fast and he often runs well when fresh. (1) SWIFT DELIVERY will be happy to get back to Woodbine and the Tapeta surface. (8) CAMEO PERFORMANCE is a wake up candidate with the surface switch.

Good luck to all!