You bet it can! Take for example Great Faces in Race 4 at Woodbine on Saturday, who had a 94 speed rating and still went off at 31-1.
Following a nice week of racing at Woodbine, Sunday had a scary spill and two horses were sadly lost.
Speedy Gary Barber colt withstood a stern pace battle and then drew off from his rivals under Sahin Civaci for another stakes win.
Owned by a number of different owners including new horse owner Jayson Werth, a baseball star, Dornoch upset the Belmont.
The Fury Stakes, an early stepping-stone to the Woodbine Oaks, was won by a Mark Casse-trained filly for owner Gabe Grossberg.
She could be the best three-year-old of any sex in the United States, posting a 99 Beyer Speed Figure in her latest win.
The way this year's third jewel of the American Triple Crown figures to unfold means one of these two starters should win.
Two Trinidadian jockeys have been dominating the winner's circle in Winnipeg at Assiniboia Downs; Gourneau leads trainers.
The first two stepping-stone stakes races to the Canadian classics take place this weekend at Woodbine with some of the top contenders entered.
A 25% bonus will be paid to owners of Alberta-bred racehorses placing win, place or show in the Oct. 5th CTHS Sales Stakes.