Held every August on Woodbine’s world famous EP Taylor Turf course, the $500,000 Grade I (Can) Breeders’ Stakes is the third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown for three-year-old Canadian-bred thoroughbreds. As the finale to the series, the Breeders’ Stakes holds the distinction of the winner possibly making history as a Triple Crown champion. Seven have done so, but five other horses have won the first two legs, but failed the Breeders’ Stakes test.
With a possible Triple Crown championship to be won, the Breeders’ Stakes is one of the most watched and wagered-on races of the Canadian thoroughbred season. What that means is big pools for the handicapper, and the best way to try and win a share is to wager with one of our trusted online racebook partners.
* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on the Arlington Million or any other horse race. Please bet responsibly!
As mentioned above, a lot of money can be put down on the Breeders’ Stakes, and account holders at Bodog can put a bet down with a couple clicks and get the same competitive odds as trackside, plus the benefit of extra rewards and cash bonuses.
Danish Dynaformer proved too powerful in the 2015 Breeders’ Stakes, unleashing a powerful stretch run to overhaul the pacesetter and win going away. The distance-loving son of Dynaformer earned the decisive win after competing in all three legs of the Canadian classic series. Danish Dynaformer had finished second in the Queen’s Plate and sixth in the Prince of Wales Stakes before finally getting over his preferred surface – turf – in the 125th running of the Breeders’ Stakes. Sent to post as the 7/5 favorite, the strapping colt added to trainer Roger Attfield’s record, giving the veteran Woodbine conditioner his ninth win in the Breeders’ Stakes dating back to 1986. Jockey Patrick Husbands earned his fourth Breeders’ Stakes win – also a record. The well-regarded Conquest Boogaloo ran on to finish second, but was beaten 7 1/2 lengths.
Check back closer to race day for 2016 Breeders’ Stakes contenders!
A Few Bits of Trivia!
First run in 1889, the Breeders’ Stakes is what makes the Canadian Triple Crown unique from the American version in that it is run on the turf (the other legs of the Canadian Triple Crown are run on polytrack and dirt surfaces). This presents a unique challenge for horse racing fans betting on the race, in that they not only have to handicap which horses can last the grueling 1 1/2 miles distance, but whether they can handle the grass surface.
The speed record for the Breeder’s Stakes is 2:25.2, set in 1995 by Charlie’s Dewan, who was a grandson of the great Affirmed, the 1978 American Triple Crown champion. In one of the most exciting finishes in the race history, Charlie’s Dewan battled Mt. Sassafras to a nose victory in a photo finish. Mt. Sassafras would go on to finish a very close fourth in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Classic behind Hall of Famer Cigar, and would be named Canada’s Older Horse of the Year for 1996.