Graded Stakes Selections for Woodbine on Nov. 11

A pair of graded events for fillies and mares will take center stage at Woodbine on Saturday. 

Race 7 – Maple Leaf S. (G3)

A total of 13 fillies and mares will go postward in the 1 1/4-mile affair on the All-Weather oval. Kevin Attard’s #4 Il Malocchio (5-1) eclipsed this race in 2022 and I will tab the mare to defend her crown on Saturday. This Souper Speedy five-year-old has put in a pair of prep runs in advance of this tilt, the first at seven panels and the most recent at 1 1/16 miles, and she seems poised to peak in her third run of the season. The Ontario-bred bay possesses very good positional speed to track the tempo while always in striking range beneath Kaz Kimura. 

Josie Carroll’s #5 State of Mind (20-1) takes a major class hike following a score in a first-level allowance tilt in her latest showing, but I think that the Kitten’s Joy filly is a live longshot against this group. The Kentucky-bred bay responded to the addition of blinkers with aplomb in her latest endeavor, and the move to 10 furlongs should only aid the improving filly, as well. The contender loses Kimura to the leading selection, but I will use the lass in the vertical exotics at a huge number, nonetheless. 

Race 9 – Bessarabian S. (G2)

The seven-furlong dash on the synthetic surface attracted a massive field of 14 in a very attractive betting event. #9 Miss Dracarys (6-1) intrigues in the affair for conditioner Neil Drysdale, as the bay cuts back in distance and also tries the All-Weather for the initial time in her career. This Malibu Moon five-year-old defeated the classy Moira in the grassy Dance Smartly S. (G2) two prior to prove her class, and she has the gate presence to be involved from the break on Saturday, as well. I expect the Kentucky-bred to be forwardly placed and in the clear throughout with Sahin Civaci taking the reins. 

#2 Our Flash Drive (8-1) has gone unplaced in a trio of events in succession, but the Mark Casse pupil won this race by 5 3/4 lengths in 2022 and might be overlooked in the wagering. The Ghostzapper mare dons a fine 6-4-1-0 lifetime mark at Woodbine, and something close to her best performance will give her a major chance inside the final furlong with go-to pilot Patrick Husbands in the stirrups.