Woodbine Stakes Spot Plays for Saturday

A total of five graded stakes races will lead the way on a massive day of racing north of the border at Woodbine on Saturday.

Race 5 – Marine S. (G3)

A total of eight three-year-olds will run 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather in this event. Stuart Simon’s #6 Twin City has been first or second in each of his lifetime runs and looms large while making his second run of the campaign. The son of Klimt fits at the distance perfectly and the local experience the gelding has will surely aid his chances with Boulanger in the silks.

Race 7 – Selene S. (G3)

Sophomore fillies will go postward in the 1 1/16-mile main track affair, with 10 set to line up. Trainer Josie Carroll has a pair of contenders in the field, and I’ll dabble with #4 Dolce Sopresa at a solid price. The bay filly by Maclean’s Music seems poised to thrive at route racing and I like her chances to run big on this day while making her two-turn debut. The Ontario-bred filly will likely be forwardly placed from the break beneath Justin Stein.

Race 8 – Highlander S. (G2)

Martin Drexler’s #7 Souper Dormy was a fine allowance winner sprinting on this course in his latest showing and will be a major contender with even minor improvement on this occasion. This top pick is perfect in a pair of outings on this lawn and has the right running style to sit close and pounce in the stretch, too. The Into Mischief gelding will have Declan Carroll in the silks.

Race 9 – Dominion Day S. (G3)

#9 Novo Sol has appeal from the outside post slot in a field with enough early pace to aid the late run of the son of Agnes Gold. The six-year-old bay is Grade-2 placed on the surface and comes off of a fine allowance victory at Gulfstream Park in his second run of the season last time out. The Brazilian-bred will be doing his best work late with Edgard Zayas in the controls once again.

Race 10 – Nassau S. (G2)

The Mark Casse-trained #8 Fev Rover ran a trio of very good races on the course last season and will be tough in her 2023 debut. The Irish-bred five-year-old is using this race as a prep for a bigger event later in the summer, but she is classy enough to upend this field with something close to her best with regular pilot Patrick Husbands in the stirrups. She will always be in range.