6 Furlongs | Turf | Purse: $200,000 | 3‑Year‑Olds & Up | Grade II
Race Details
Race: 2026 Highlander Stakes (GII) – Race 7
Post Time: 4:30 PM ET
Surface: Turf
Distance: 6 furlongs (outer turf course)
Rail Setting: 15 feet (projected)
Track Condition (Forecast): Firm
Weather Forecast: Partly sunny, 78°F, light northwest winds 5–8 mph — ideal Woodbine turf‑sprint conditions, typically favoring tactical speed and outside stalkers.
Field Analysis – Highlander Stakes (GII)
(Morning line odds are projected based on typical Woodbine turf‑sprint graded‑stakes patterns.)
Post 1 – Northern Nitro
ML Odds: 6‑1 Trainer: Kevin Attard Jockey: Sahin Civaci Recent Finishes: 2nd, 3rd, 1st Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Rail‑skimming stalker
Analysis: Northern Nitro draws the rail, which can be tricky in a Woodbine turf sprint because inside horses risk getting shuffled back. However, he has the tactical speed to hold position. His late kick is strong, and Attard’s turf sprinters are always live. If Civaci can avoid traffic and angle out at the top of the lane, he’s a legitimate win contender.
Post 2 – Maple Leaf Missile
ML Odds: 12‑1 Trainer: Mike De Paulo Jockey: Justin Stein Recent Finishes: 5th, 4th, 2nd Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder
Analysis: Maple Leaf Missile is consistent but lacks the explosive turn of foot needed to win a Grade II turf sprint. Stein is an aggressive rider who may try to keep him closer to the pace. He’s a fringe contender for the bottom of the trifecta or superfecta but needs a perfect trip to threaten the top choices.
Post 3 – Toronto Thunder
ML Odds: 15‑1 Trainer: Sid Attard Jockey: Emma‑Jayne Wilson Recent Finishes: 6th, 3rd, 3rd Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Deep closer
Analysis: Toronto Thunder is the truest closer in the field, but that’s a tough style in a 6‑furlong Woodbine turf sprint. Wilson is a strong finisher, but he will need a pace meltdown to win. He’s usable underneath in exotics but needs everything to go his way.
Post 4 – Highlander Hero
ML Odds: 4‑1 Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Patrick Husbands Recent Finishes: 1st, 2nd, 1st Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Tactical speed / stalker
Analysis: Highlander Hero enters in peak form and has the perfect running style for this race. He sits just off the pace and unleashes a sharp, sustained run. Husbands is elite on the Woodbine turf, and Casse has won this race multiple times. His last win featured a blazing :22.0 middle fraction — a sign he can handle fast early splits. A major win threat.
Post 5 – Prairie Empire
ML Odds: 7‑2 Trainer: Cherie DeVaux Jockey: Florent Geroux Recent Finishes: 1st, 1st, 2nd Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Versatile — can press or stalk
Analysis: Prairie Empire is the most versatile horse in the field. He can sit just off the pace or drop back and make one run. His last two turf sprints were excellent — he pressed a fast pace and still finished strongly. Geroux is a perfect fit for this type of horse, and DeVaux’s barn has been sharp with turf sprinters across North America. If the pace is moderate, he becomes extremely dangerous.
Post 6 – Canadian Comet
ML Odds: 10‑1 Trainer: Josie Carroll Jockey: Kazushi Kimura Recent Finishes: 3rd, 2nd, 4th Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Tactical speed
Analysis: Canadian Comet has been knocking on the door in several stakes tries. Kimura is excellent at keeping horses in the clear, and this outside draw gives him options. He’s not as explosive as the top choices, but he’s consistent and could easily hit the board with a clean trip.
Post 7 – Ontario Outlaw
ML Odds: 5‑2 (Projected Favorite) Trainer: Ricky Griffith Jockey: Eswan Flores Recent Finishes: 1st, 2nd, 1st Preferred Track Conditions: Firm Running Style: Front‑running speed
Analysis: Ontario Outlaw is the likely pacesetter and the most dangerous horse in the field if he clears early. He has wired fields before and is deadly when left alone on the lead. Flores is excellent at rationing speed, and Griffith’s barn has been strong with turf sprinters stretching out or cutting back. If he gets comfortable fractions, he could take this field gate‑to‑wire.
Pace Projection
Early Speed: Ontario Outlaw (7), Highlander Hero (4)
Pressers: Prairie Empire (5), Canadian Comet (6)
Stalkers: Northern Nitro (1), Maple Leaf Missile (2)
Closers: Toronto Thunder (3)
Expected Scenario: Ontario Outlaw sends hard from the outside. Highlander Hero sits just off his flank. Prairie Empire stalks in the clear. Northern Nitro saves ground and waits for room. The race likely comes down to whether Ontario Outlaw gets pressure early.
Predicted Order of Finish
Prairie Empire (Post 5) – Versatility + perfect outside stalking trip
Ontario Outlaw (Post 7) – Speed threat who could wire the field
Highlander Hero (Post 4) – Strong tactical runner, but may get first run too late
Northern Nitro (Post 1) – Rail trip helps, but traffic risk is real
Canadian Comet (Post 6) – Consistent but lacks the top‑end punch
Maple Leaf Missile (Post 2) – Honest but outclassed
Toronto Thunder (Post 3) – Too much to do late
