Photo:

Woodbine / Michael Burns

Neither of the winners from the previous two legs of Canada’s Triple Crown entered the Breeders’ Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine, but there are some familiar storylines for the 1 1/2-mile turf race.

For one, a filly is favored. We’re used to that from the King’s Plate, a race then known as the Queen’s Plate that Moira won as the favorite two years ago. Caitlinhergrtness captured it this year as the second choice.

Click here for Woodbine entries and results.

Hurricane Clair finished 1 1/4 lengths behind runner-up Caitlinhergrtness in the Woodbine Oaks and then was second in the Bison City before regaining her footing on turf in the Wonder Where Stakes, dueling down the stretch before pulling away late.

Her success on turf, 2-for-3 lifetime, and at as far as 1 1/4 miles makes her the horse to beat here. She is 8-5 on the morning line, which would be great value against my 7-5 fair odds.

The bomb I wouldn’t mind hooking Hurricane Clair up with is Thor’s Cause, one of the four maidens in this seven-horse field. He has some upside as one of a few in here with a distance pedigree, and I think from the rail he can stay in better touch with the vanguard. 

My strategy is to single Hurricane Clair in the multi-race wagers, and I gladly would bet her to win at her morning-line price. If we don’t get that, then Thor’s Cause might be worth a long-shot try on the win end and keyed with Hurricane Clair.

Horse Racing Nation coverage of Woodbine racing is made possible in part through a sponsorship by Woodbine Entertainment Group.