Venue: Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Ontario
Post Time: 6:10 PM ET (Race 3)
Distance: 6 Furlongs (Tapeta)
Purse: $100,000
Eligibility: Ontario-Sired Fillies & Mares, 4 Years Old & Up
Race Overview
The Ballade Stakes is a key fixture in Ontario’s Sires Stakes Program, spotlighting locally bred fillies and mares with proven sprinting ability. This year’s edition features a compact but competitive field of five, headlined by the red-hot Little Teddy, who enters on a two-race win streak. With speed drawn across the gate and versatile pedigrees, expect a tactical battle over Woodbine’s synthetic surface.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
| PP | Horse Name | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire) |
| 1 | Olivia Rose | 4 | Rafael Hernandez | Mark Casse | Souper Speedy – Rose of Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro |
| 2 | Talk to Ya Later | 6 | Ryan Munger | Ian Black | Silent Name (JPN) – Talk Fast, by A.P. Indy |
| 3 | Taquanyah | 7 | Leo Salles | Norman McKnight | Frac Daddy – Leah Leah, by Arch |
| 4 | Silent Sky | 5 | Fraser Aebly | Kevin Attard | Silent Name (JPN) – Skybound, by Sky Classic |
| 5 | Little Teddy | 4 | Austin Adams | Santino Di Paola | Frac Daddy – Explosive Leah, by Silent Name (JPN) |
Top Contenders & Insights
Little Teddy (PP5)
Form: 5 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds from 11 starts; $246,820 in earnings
Recent Wins: Back-to-back victories at Woodbine in April and May, including a blazing 1:09.54 for 6f
Pedigree: By Frac Daddy, out of a Silent Name mare—blends speed and stamina
Trainer: Santino Di Paola, rising local conditioner with a sharp eye for Ontario-sired talent
Jockey: Austin Adams, has a calming rapport with this high-energy filly
Edge: Tactical speed, course familiarity, and peak form make her the one to beat
Talk to Ya Later (PP2)
Form: Stakes-placed veteran with 6 wins from 30 starts
Pedigree: By Silent Name (JPN), known for producing durable turf and synthetic runners
Trainer: Ian Black, seasoned horseman with a knack for keeping older mares competitive
Style: Stalker with a late punch; could capitalize if pace heats up
Taquanyah (PP3)
Form: Winner of the 2024 7f stakes at Woodbine; lightly raced since
Pedigree: Frac Daddy over Arch—strong closing bloodlines
Trainer: Norman McKnight, one of Woodbine’s most consistent conditioners
Jockey: Leo Salles, aggressive rider who fits this mare’s style
Pedigree Trends
Frac Daddy progeny (Little Teddy & Taquanyah) dominate the field, known for synthetic sprint success
Silent Name (JPN) appears in both sire and dam lines, reinforcing stamina and versatility
Souper Speedy (Olivia Rose) adds early foot and class from the Casse barn
Win: Little Teddy – sharp recent form, ideal draw, and top connections
Place: Talk to Ya Later – consistent veteran with stakes experience
Show: Taquanyah – capable of closing late if pace collapses
Exotic Plays
Exacta Box: 2–5–3
Trifecta: 5–2–3
Longshot Alert: Silent Sky (PP4) – lightly raced but bred for speed
