Jockey Fraser Aebly believes multiple graded stakes-placed mare Lupa (IRE) is primed for a strong showing in the $175,000 Grade 3 HPIbet Ontario Matron Stakes for three-year-old and older fillies and mares, part of Saturday’s Turf Champions Day card at Woodbine.
The 1 1/16 mile race on main tapeta track is race 8 on the stakes-rich card featuring over $3.5 million in total purses. The Ontario Matron has attracted a field of seven.
“This filly is as game as they come,” Aebly said. “She fights all the way to the wire. You could see that in the Trillium. She gave everything she had and put it all out there.
“She is just a professional, hard-working, hard-trying filly, the kind of horse you look forward to riding.”
Lupa (IRE) a four-year-old daughter of Lope De Vega (IRE) out of the Teofilo (IRE) mare Teofilo’s Princess (IRE), finished on the board in her last two starts, both graded stakes at Woodbine in which she set the pace and was collared in the stretch. Lupa finished third in the $200,000 Grade 2 Canadian Stakes presented by The Japan Racing Association on Aug. 15 and second, by just a head, on July 25 in the $175,000 Grade 3 Trillium Stakes presented by Don Julio.
“She took on some tough competition last time in the Canadian and fought hard as she always does,” Aebly said. “There are a lot of things to like about her.
“I’m definitely looking forward to this Saturday. It would be great to a get a win for Mark, Josie and the barn.”
Bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, Lupa was purchased for $200,000 at the 2023 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Mark Dodson. The mare has earned $141,733 lifetime and sports a 3-1-1 record in eight starts for Dodson and Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll.
Carroll also has four-year-old mare Serendipity in the Ontario Matron. Serendipity won the $150,000 Grade 3 Selene Stakes at Woodbine in 2025, but is looking for her first win in 2026.
Fast Facts: The Ontario Matron Series debuted in 1979. The first two editions were won by Hall of Fame mare La Voyageuse. Trainer Kevin Attard has won the last two editions (Caitlinhergrtness 2025, Fashionably Fab 2024). Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield holds the record for the most Ontario Matron wins by a trainer with five (1987, 1992, 1994, 2002 and 2015).
Wagering menu for the Ontario Matron: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) / 0.20 Pick 5 (Races 8-9-10-11-12) / $1 Swinger
Need to know: First race post time on Saturday is 1:00 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com.
Field for the $175,000 Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Fantastical – Rafael Hernandez – Joe Sharp
2 – Speedy Freeze – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Ron Sadler
3 – Lupa (IRE) – Fraser Aebly – Josie Carroll
4 – Hurricane Clair – Eswan Flores – Michael Wright, Jr.
5 – War Painter – Umberto Rispoli – Kevin Attard
6 – Queen Azteca – Edgard Zayas – Rodolphe Brisset
7 – Serendipity – John Velazquez – Josie Carroll
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