The E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) is a popular and prestigious race on the Woodbine calendar and while the 1 1/4 mile turf race (on the E.P. Taylor turf course) is usually held on the same day as the Canadian International (G1), this year the race goes alone. The International was moved to September this year and did not get the field the famous race warranted but the E.P. Taylor has assembled a solid group of fillies and mares.

The turf is likely to be at least yielding for the October 17 race as plenty of rain is expected through mid-Saturday.

Last year’s winner ETOILE (Fr) , set to sell at the Fasig Tipton November sale, has been pointed to this race by trainer Chad Brown. She has raced just twice since her Taylor win in 2020 with a fourth in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes in April at Keeneland and then a close second in the Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 22. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in town to ride the 5-year-old mare.

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