How to bet the E. P. Taylor Stakes

A field of seven fillies and mares will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Woodbine turf in Sunday’s C$600,000 E. P. Taylor (G1).

E. P. Taylor Analysis

The pace will be controlled by #4 Theodora B., with #3 Etoile and #7 Elizabeth Way tracking from the second flight early on.

E. P. Taylor Contenders

#1 RIDEFORTHECAUSE (4-1) -- Peaking Candy Ride filly rolled home to an emphatic four-length score in the recent Canadian (G2) for Gail Cox. Ontario-bred bay is 4-for-5 lifetime on the surface and merits a ton of respect from the cozy rail slot. David Moran will be in the controls.

#2 PRETTY POINT (8-1) -- California shipper is in search of her first stakes victory for Gallagher. Point of Entry 4-year-old didn’t impact the Rodeo Drive (G1) in her latest affair, and the filly will need to take a big step forward to upset this cast. Luis Contreras inherits the ride.

#3 ETOILE (9-5) -- Top pick was a game runner-up in the Dance Smartly (G2) in her Woodbine debut last time out. Bay filly brought more than $1 million at auction in the winter, and she might peak in her third North American appearance. Rafael Hernandez will pilot the Group 3 heroine for Chad Brown.

#4 THEODORA B. (2-1) -- Horse to catch and likely beat has never been better for Dickinson. Ghostzapper mare has won two in succession, including the Dance Smartly in her local bow, and the dark bay comes in with three solid drills in the interim. Justin Stein will guide the talented pacesetter.

#5 COURT RETURN (20-1) -- Sneaky exotics player from the Carroll shedrow made a belated run to be a clear third in the Canadian and might appreciate the added ground on Sunday. Court Vision filly has run a trio of fine races in 2020 while in great form, and she could help spike the exotics at a big price beneath Fukimoto.

#6 SECRET MESSAGE (6-1) -- Graham Motion pupil is a Grade 2 victress on the course but was a non-factor in the race in 2019. Hat Trick 5-year-old has a nice turn of foot and could be dangerous with her top showing, but I can’t back her to win in this venture. Kimura will pilot the top-four contender.

#7 ELIZABETH WAY (10-1) -- Frankel filly bagged the Nassau (G2) on the course in July but has not been as sharp in her most recent pair of assignments. Attfield charge has excellent positional speed in a cast without an abundance of pace, and she figures to get a great trip to the top of the lane on Sunday. Emma-Jayne Wilson will be in the stirrups atop the upset contender.

E. P. Taylor Wagers

• $50 Win: #3 Etoile ($50)