The Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes on Saturday, October 8 got a lot more exciting when it was announced Tuesday that Queen’s Plate winner MOIRA will contest the 1 1/4 mile turf race worth $750,000. Saturday is also Woodbine Aftercare Day, which will be promoting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance throughout the afternoon.
Owners X-Men Racing, Madaket Stable and SF Bloodstock, along with trainer Kevin Attard, had been trying to decide on their star filly’s next race after her breathtaking win in the Plate on Aug. 21, which followed her easy win in the Woodbine Oaks.
A 3-year-old by Ghostzapper, Moira has never tried grass or older horses but the team is eyeing a Grade 1 outing for the strapping gal. The Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Keeneland against 3-year-olds on the turf was also considered but since the Taylor is held at her home track, the team decided the Taylor would be a good spot to test Moira.