Exotics Plays for the Canadian Stakes

A cast of seven fillies and mares will run 1 1/16 miles on the inner lawn at Woodbine in Saturday’s $200,000 Canadian (G2). This is not the strongest field ever assembled for the race, but it does feature a well-matched group in what could still be an attractive betting endeavor. 

Canadian Exotics

• $6 exacta 6 with 3,4 ($12)
• $6 trifecta key 6 with 3,4 ($12)
• $2 trifecta box 3,4,6 ($12)
• $1 superfecta 6 with 3,4 with 3,4 with all ($8)

I do like the Brendan Walsh-trained #6 Proctor Street (2-1) on top despite her being favored in the affair. By Street Sense, the five-year-old has come close in a trio of graded races this year, and the mare exits the De La Rose S. at Saratoga when she faced a deep and talented field that towers over this one. The homebred will appreciate the measure of class relief in her first try north of the border, and many of her best runs have come at this trip, evidenced by her 7-4-2-0 mark at the distance, as well. She will be moving best in the lane with Pietro Moran taking the reins. 

#3 Awesomesauce (6-1) waltzed home to a facile win over fellow Ohio-bred runners last time for Joe Sharp and is a good fit in this field. The Union Rags four-year-old has been consistently good when running over middle distances on the sod, and the bay four-year-old surely could improve in her second appearance off the shelf. The homebred has a strong closing kick and will appreciate the long stretch run on Saturday with Jose Campos taking the reins. 

Kevin Attard's #4 Eponine (5-2) has improved her Brisnet Speed rating with each effort since arriving in the states, and the multiple Grade/Group 2 placed four-year-old could be dangerous in her first run at Woodbine. The chestnut takes a big jump up from a first-level allowance race to the graded ranks, but she possesses the right running style for the event and could also peak while making her third run of 2026 off the extended layoff. I expect the Irish-bred to be tracking the tempo from just off the lead prior to inching into contention at the top of the lane under Hernandez.