Stakes Spot Plays for Woodbine on Oct. 8

A total of four black-type events on the lawn, with three being of the graded stakes variety, will headline a fine day of racing at Woodbine on Sunday. 

Race 7: E. P. Taylor S. (G1)

An excellent field of 10 fillies and mares will go postward in the $750,000 affair. Champion #6 Moira got back to her winning ways with an authoritative score in the Canadian S. (G2) here last time out, and I expect her to double-up in this spot under Rafael Hernandez. The classy four-year-old has progressed steadily this campaign, and while she faces a deep and talented cast on this occasion, I still like her chances to close best of all in the lane for conditioner Kevin Attard. 

For the exotics, I will also dabble with #9 Rocky Sky at a nice price. One of three in the field for trainer Chad Brown, the Rock of Gibraltar daughter got better with extended distances last season, and she had a nice prep for this at Saratoga last time out, as well. The Irish-bred mare has some speed and will be in the mix early under the guidance of Declan Carroll.

Race 9: Canadian International S. (G1)

I’m expecting a pair of European-based runners to settle things in the stretch in the lucrative event. The accomplished #4 Nations Pride has put in a trio of excellent races in 2023 for conditioner Charlie Appleby and will have regular pilot William Buick in the silks. The Godolphin homebred, who went off favored in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), will be formidable with anything resembling his best performance.

Roger Varian’s #8 Royal Champion seems to be coming into his own and peaking right now. The Shamardal five-year-old defeated Bolshoi Ballet at Royal Ascot two prio, which preceded a smart third-place result in the York S. (G2) last time out. The gelded bay will never be far back with James Doyle in the stirrups.

Race 10: Nearctic S. (G2)

A huge field of 13 will sprint six panels on the green in the final stakes tilt of the afternoon. I’ll take a flier with #3 Jazz Hands at a healthy number. The Square Eddie five-year-old lacks the credentials of most of his foes, but the gelding has been sharp in two runs since moving to this barn, and he is training like a horse sitting on a big effort, following a sizzling half-mile bullet most recently. The California-bred chestnut was an easy winner in his lone local appearance and is worth including in the exotics beneath Shane Ellis.