Saturday is a big day for our partners at Woodbine Racetrack in Ontario. Not only are they offering up a strong card led by a trio of graded stakes races, but Xpressbet and 1/ST BET have a pair of promotions at the Canadian-based venue to register for immediately.
Firstly, are the 20X 1/ST Rewards Points on all wagers at Woodbine for this Saturday card-only. As easy as it gets. Additionally, the Woodbine Final Stretch Sweepstakes is underway. This runs through closing day, Sunday December 13. Each week, 2 lucky players will earn $200 wagering credits in their accounts simply by betting Woodbine. For each $10 bet on a card, earn 1 entry in the sweepstakes. Also those entries are in play for a $1,000 grand prize drawing at the conclusion of the Woodbine meet. The goal here is to earn one sweepstakes entry per $10 wagered at Woodbine any Thursday through Sunday from now through the end of the meet. This has already started, so get involved now to maximize your chances. Check out the promotional landing page for full details.
Here are my thoughts on the three Grade 3 events on Woodbine’s Saturday slate. Best of luck to those getting involved in the promotions.
Race 7: Maple Leaf (G3)
The first of the three stakes events over Woodbine’s all-weather surface is for fillies and mares at 1 1/4-miles where a strong case can be made for even-money favorite #4 Lupa. The Josie Carroll trainee is highly likely to control the tempo like she has in her first four starts of 2026, including last time out when she wired the field in the Ontario Matron (G3). My main concern, especially at a very short price, is her ability to finish the deal at the ten-furlong distance. I will take a chance against her with #2 Sultana. The Always Dreaming mare moves from the turf to the all-weather after being outrun in the E.P. Taylor (G1) in mid-September. Trainer Kevin Attard took a swing against the best and it did not pay off, but his trainee not only gets significant class relief in this spot, but I have little concern about her ability to relish the distance. Jockey Rafael Hernandez is likely to have a lot of ground to make up when they hit the far turn, but this gal has the turn of foot to run down the chalk and earn her fifth lifetime win.
Play: Sultana (7-2 ML)
Picks: 2-4-1
Race 9: Autumn (G3)
I lack creativity in this nine-furlong affair for 3YOs+ where 4-5-ML favorite #1 Runaway Again should be very tough to beat. The Stronach Stables gelding has been freshened up by trainer Sid Attard since taking a tough defeat as the odds-on favorite in the Seagram Cup (G3) in early August. He should be fit though with six works under his belt in succession leading up to his return and a favorable inside draw against a compact group the son of Hard Spun should handle assuming he is close to his best off the layoff. Runaway Again has posted figures good enough to beat this group returning from a few months on the sideline before and should have no issue doing so here under regular rider Ryan Munger.
Play: #1 Runaway Again (4-5 ML)
Pick: 1-2-4
Race 10: Bessarbian (G3)
The final stakes race on the program is this seven-furlong dash for fillies and mares that appears wide-open. 5-2-ML favorite #8 Reagan’s Flame is a deserving top choice having won 2 of 3 over this surface. She comes in off a victory in the Presque Isle Downs Masters (G2), has won 4 of 6 in 2026, and is hard to knock other than her price. She does though only have two published works since the win in Pennsylvania, so perhaps she will not be at her best.
The best chance of besting the favorite appears to be by getting the jump on her. #6 Purr Factor should be able to do that. The 5YO mare takes a shot against stakes company after rattling off a pair of gate-to-wire victories against allowance foes. She has to prove she belongs at this level, but clearly has the speed to clear and loves this surface. Hopefully, jockey Skye Chernetz can lull them to sleep on the front end and spring a big upset in this year’s Bessarbian.
Play: #6 Purr Factor (20-1 ML)
Pick: 6-3-8
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