How to bet the 2026 King Edward Stakes

A cast of six turf performers will vie in the $200,000 King Edward (G2) at Woodbine on Saturday. The compact field will travel one mile on the inner turf in a local prep for the Woodbine Mile (G1) later in the meeting, and a well-matched group has been assembled. 

King Edward Wagers

• $15 win and place #1 Irish Aces ($30)
• $5 exacta key box 1 with 3,6 ($20)

The Brendan Walsh-trained #1 Irish Aces (5-2) had an excellent prep for this heat, with a closing and clear second in the Connaught Cup (G2) in his second run off of the extended layoff, and gets off the rail for this tilt. By Mshawish, the gelding has back class to him, evidenced by his game win in the Tapit S. at Kentucky Downs last campaign, and he took to this oval well last time in his local bow. The six-year-old gelding has a nice slot on the fence and could sit an ideal voyage behind the pace in the heat with Pietro Moran on board. 

#6 Piper’s Factor (3-1) tired late in the race last year while forcing a very hot pace and will receive a better trip this time around from the outside post. Trained by Katerina Vassilieva, the five-year-old son of The Factor ran well last time when an even fourth, while facing a few of these contenders, and will move forward on Saturday. The Ontario-bred, who owns a pair of wins and two additional placings on this course, has earned lifetime best Brisnet Speed ratings in two straight and will be perfectly placed turning for home with John Velazquez picking up the mount. 

Morning-line choice #3 Gas Me Up (8-5) returns to the Kevin Attard shedrow following a trio of good efforts in California in the winter. The dark bay son of Hard Spun, who won this race with a superb late burst in the lane in 2025, is three-for-five locally while coming in fresh with some nice morning drills in advance of his return. The Six-year-old Ontario-bred will receive what should be an honest early pace to rally into late, with Fraser Aebly accepting the mount.