It was a big weekend for Canadian-bred horses with three stakes winners and a handy romp for the King's Plate hero of 2023.
Gulfstream Park
A Kentucky Derby (G1) prep, the Fountain of Youth has big names from 2023 including Locked and Dornoch and sensational debut winner Speak Easy.
Canadians continue to do well in races south of the border, from New York to Kentucky to Florida and Arkansas.
Longshot wins by Canadian-breds south of the border and a pair of wins by trainer Bill Tharrenos at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 15.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) champ. early Kentucky Derby fave Fierceness was flat in his first start as a three-year-old after some bumping.
Once a promising turf runner with high Beyer Figures, Spirit Animal was claimed last year for $10,000. Now he's climbing the totem pole again.
Preakness Stakes (G1) winner National Treasure was well prepared by Bob Baffert to hang on in the $3 million World Cup.
Mike DePaulo had a second win of the winter this past weekend, the Chircop barn continues to roll, and a top mare is back.
A field of 12 will contest the 1 1/8 mile invitational race on a stakes-filled card at Gulfstream on January 27.
Canadian-owned and trained Shirl's Speight has been working at Payson Park with Roger Attfield for a run in the Jan. 27 event.
The "cool dude" trained by Katerina Vassilieva will make the first start of his four-year-old season against fellow Florida-breds.
A full field of 12 is expected for the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, including handicap stars First Mission and Saudi Crown.
Woodbine may be over, but owners, trainers and their staff continue to be busy south of the border with their horses.
The Ontario-bred was third in the Breeders' Stakes in October and will get a chance to try more distance in a unique Florida stake.
Champion Forte won the Florida Derby as expected, but not exactly how expected; will he be a heavy choice in the Kentucky Derby?
