Canadian Premier Yearling Sale graduates are set to take center stage this Sunday afternoon at Woodbine, competing in four stakes races with a combined purse of $600,000. This event precedes the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society’s annual yearling sale, scheduled for Wednesday, August 27th. Shirley Camilleri, co-owner of CamHaven Farms, highlighted the sale’s appeal, noting the exceptional value found in Ontario breeding, particularly with the current exchange rate. The CTHS sale, she emphasized, not only showcases Ontario breeding but also offers attractive purses for horsemen. For more details on the sale, visit cthsont.com/sale.
$200,000 Simcoe Stakes: Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings
Trainer Bill Tharrenos is fielding a strong trio in the Simcoe Stakes: Bank On Big Winner, Big Bold and First, and Silver Is Best, all of whom are coming off recent victories.
Bank On Big Winner, a son of Big Screen, delivered an impressive 3 ¾-length win at six furlongs on July 27th. Despite a second-place finish in his debut, trainer Tharrenos is confident in his progression. “He is moving forward,” Tharrenos stated. “It was a very impressive win, and he is a horse who is just starting to peak.” Bank On Big Winner posted a swift five-furlong breeze in 1:00.60 on August 17th. The gelding was a $20,000 purchase at the 2024 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, with Tharrenos noting his immediate appeal due to his conformation.
Big Bold and First lived up to his name with a hard-fought half-length victory at five furlongs on June 29th. “He tried very hard to get that win,” praised Tharrenos, who believes the horse is currently in excellent form. The son of Signature Red was a $5,000 purchase, a price Tharrenos found surprisingly low given the horse’s early readiness and athleticism.
Silver Is Best made a commanding statement in his most recent outing, winning by 5 ¼ lengths at five furlongs in :58.64. His success is partly attributed to his accomplished full-sister, I Love to Win. Tharrenos expressed optimism about Silver Is Best’s future, stating, “This guy, Silver Is Best, his whole life is ahead of him. He’s doing phenomenally well.” The bay colt was acquired for $23,000 at the 2024 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, with his physical presence being a key factor in the purchase.
The field for the Simcoe Stakes includes: Duckduckduck, Highwaytothemoon, Found Money, Bank On Big Winner, Silver Is Best, Noburu, Speights Will, Big Bold and First, Dri Saddle, and Making His Mark.
$200,000 Muskoka Stakes: Two-Year-Old Fillies
Trainer Bill Tharrenos will also saddle Cayenne Kiss and Japonka for their stakes debut in the Muskoka Stakes.
Cayenne Kiss, a daughter of Silent Name (JPN), made a stunning debut on June 28th, winning by 4 ¼ lengths in :59.09. Tharrenos is highly optimistic about her potential. “Unbelievable,” he commented. “I get chills thinking about her. I am not trying to be overconfident, but I don’t think we have seen the best of her yet. She’s a beauty.” Cayenne Kiss has consistently posted strong workouts, demonstrating her readiness. She was a $15,000 purchase at the 2024 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.
Japonka, with three starts under her belt, has shown signs of improvement. While facing a tough field, Tharrenos believes she is progressing in the right direction. “Everything is going well with her, and we think she is going to keep moving in the right direction,” he said. The homebred filly breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 on August 17th.
The field for the Muskoka Stakes comprises: Sipping History, Lapin de Plage (S), Fleury, Cayenne Kiss, Souper Diva, Japonka, Winning Agenda, Superfly Chick, Live Each Day, and Pageant Queen.
$100,000 Algoma Stakes: Three & Four-Year-Old Fillies
Seven fillies will compete in the Algoma Stakes, with Little Teddy, a four-year-old daughter of Frac Daddy, aiming for her second stakes victory. Trained by Santino Di Paola, Little Teddy has amassed $261,426 in earnings and won last year’s Georgian Bay Stakes. Her career began with a seventh-place finish, followed by a win at odds of 48-1, and a third in the Shady Well Stakes. She was a $15,000 purchase at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.
Another notable contender is Souper Supreme, winner of last year’s Muskoka and Victorian Queen Stakes. This three-year-old filly, trained by Mark Casse, boasts $178,183 in earnings from five starts.
The field for the Algoma Stakes is: Speedy Freeze (S), Regal Moment, Just Magnificent, Souper Supreme, Little Teddy, Hoodless, and Spirit Bear.
$100,000 Elgin Stakes: Three & Four-Year-Old Colts & Geldings
Nine colts and geldings are slated to compete in the Elgin Stakes. Its Time to Shine, trained by John Ross, is entering the race off a victory in the Pink Lloyd Stakes. This four-year-old bay colt has a record of 5-3-2 from 16 starts, earning $229,875. He broke his maiden in his fourth start and has since secured three consecutive wins from December 2024 to May 2025. Its Time to Shine was a $40,000 purchase at the 2022 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.
Other competitors in the Elgin Stakes include Queenston Stakes runner-up Regal Guest and multiple stakes-placed Kekoa.
The field for the Elgin Stakes features: Kekoa, Summer Commander, Criminal Intent, Frost Bitten, Sunday’s Well, Friendly Ghost, Shadow Realm, Regal Guest, and Its Time to Shine.
First race post time for Sunday’s card is 1:05 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and bet365.com.
