There were several impressive races by Woodbine horses this weekend, including the two stakes stars who could rule the season.
Josie Carroll
There are two big stakes races on March 22 that offer Kentucky Derby points; the Jeff Ruby has lured Canadian-trained He's Not Joking.
Woodbine's snowy backstretch opens for horsemen and horses this week, but plenty of trainers are still collecting wins in the U.S.
The Kentucky-bred three-year-old won the Grade 3 Grey Stakes at Woodbine in 2024 and will test his mettle on the Kentucky Derby trail.
Woodbine's leading trainer Mark Casse won a pile of races in the last two weeks, but it was Sandman's second-place finish that was exciting.
Weather permitting, the exciting filly Earhart tries a stakes race Saturday night for Canadian trainer Josie Carroll.
Ontario-bred A Game takes the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion Stakes at 48-to-1 for owner Mark Dodson and trainer Josie Carroll.
Carroll's extraordinary career record includes 176 stakes wins (59 graded) and nearly $59 million in purse earnings.
Chiefswood Stable homebred was winning for the second time in five races in one of the most wide-open Oaks in years.
It was a great week at Woodbine with wins going to many, LongRun and the track hosting a super event, and a debut race by a future star.
Sofia Vives won her first stakes race and four other races on opening day at Woodbine, which saw a record $4.5 million wagered.
Canadians continue to do well in races south of the border, from New York to Kentucky to Florida and Arkansas.
Mike DePaulo had a second win of the winter this past weekend, the Chircop barn continues to roll, and a top mare is back.
Woodbine may be over, but owners, trainers and their staff continue to be busy south of the border with their horses.
The next-to-last racing day at Woodbine for 2023 saw the Weber's Bedazzle Me win again for trainer Pottinger and promising bug Aebly win, too.
