2025 La Verendrye Stakes – Race Preview & Analysis
Race Details
Race: La Verendrye Stakes (Race 3)
Track: Assiniboia Downs, Winnipeg, MB
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Post Time: 8:25 PM CT
Distance: 6 Furlongs (Dirt)
Purse: $50,000
Conditions: Fillies & Mares, 3-Year-Olds & Up
Weight: 3YO – 117 lbs Older – 123 lbs (allowances apply)
Full Field Breakdown – Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
1. Distinctive Deb (WA)
Trainer: Mike Taphorn
Jockey: Prayven Badrie
Owner: My Three Niece’s Stable
Breeder: Pat & Mullan Chinn
Pedigree: Nationhood – Val de Saire, by Harbor the Gold
Morning Line Odds: 12/1
Form: 132521
Analysis: A consistent 5-year-old mare with tactical speed. She wired a field last out by nearly 7 lengths and draws the rail here. Faces tougher but could hang on for a share if she breaks cleanly.
2. Damn the Torpedoes (MD)
Trainer: Wendy Anderson
Jockey: Damario Bynoe
Owner: Wind Dancer Stable
Breeder: Robert T. Manfuso
Pedigree: Air Force Blue – Taketheodds, by Street Sense
Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Form: 428511
Analysis: A 7-year-old mare making her seasonal debut after a 40-week layoff. She’s a two-time winner at the distance but may need a race to regain sharpness.
3. Mechanic Susie (MB)
Trainer: Elton Dickey
Jockey: Antonio Whitehall
Owners: Tom Payne, Larry Falloon & Elton Dickey
Breeder: Larry Falloon
Pedigree: Nonios – Quantum Mechanics, by Einstein (BRZ)
Morning Line Odds: 10/1
Form: 11114-3
Analysis: A local favorite with 7 wins from 13 starts. She was third behind Sophia’s Storm last out and could improve second off the layoff. A live longshot with upside.
4. Sophia’s Storm (FL)
Trainer: Steve Keplin Jr.
Jockey: Sven Balroop
Owners: Arnason Farms, Parker Wallette & James Keplin
Breeder: Just For Fun Stable, Inc.
Pedigree: Handsome Mike – Sophia’s Pride, by Pleasant Tap
Morning Line Odds: 8/5
Form: 551211
Analysis: A 6-year-old mare in razor-sharp form, having won two straight including a dominant 5-furlong stakes score. She’s versatile and can stalk or press. The one to beat if she handles the added furlong.
5. Dynamic Strike (KY)
Trainer: Wendy Anderson
Jockey: Ciera Pruitt
Owners: Bill Meikle & Wind Dancer
Breeder: Charles Fipke
Pedigree: Danish Dynaformer – Morning Strike, by Smart Strike
Morning Line Odds: 25/1
Form: 42145-3
Analysis: Lightly raced 4-year-old filly with a grinding style. She was third behind Sophia’s Storm last out but will need a pace collapse to contend. Best used underneath.
6. Burrow Down (KY)
Trainer: Mike Taphorn
Jockey: Ronald Ali
Owner: Gerald Babchishin
Breeder: Emily Wygod
Pedigree: Connect – True Endeavor, by After Market
Morning Line Odds: 4/5 (Favorite)
Form: 27113-1
Analysis: The class of the field and a winner of 8 from 18 starts. She returned from a layoff to win impressively at Century Mile and now ships in with top speed figures. If she breaks cleanly, she’s the likely winner.
Betting Strategy & Race Prediction
Top Pick: Burrow Down – Class edge and sharp return
Main Rival: Sophia’s Storm – In top form and loves Assiniboia
Value Play: Mechanic Susie – Local filly with upside
Exacta Box: 4–6
Trifecta: 6–4–3
