Distance: 6 ½ Furlongs (Turf – E.P. Taylor Course)
Class: Stakes – 3‑Year‑Old Fillies
Purse: $125,000
Scheduled Post Time:5:42 PM ET
Expected Weather Conditions – Toronto, ON
Temperature: 74–77°F
Sky: Partly cloudy
Humidity: Moderate
Wind: 9–12 mph from the southwest
Turf Condition:Firm
Impact:
Firm E.P. Taylor turf favors tactical speed and outside stalking trips
Woodbine’s sweeping turns benefit fillies with sustained acceleration
Late closers need an honest pace to be effective
Field Analysis – 2026 Alywow Stakes
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, track‑condition notes, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Northern Symphony
Jockey: Sahin Civaci Trainer: Kevin Attard Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Woodbine), 3rd (MSW, Woodbine), 2nd (MSW, Gulfstream) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A steadily improving filly who broke her maiden impressively last out. Civaci fits her well, and the rail draw is fine for her patient style. Needs a clean trip and a solid pace to run into. Track Note: Loves the E.P. Taylor turf; best races on firm ground.
Post 2 – Maple Leaf Magic
Jockey: Emma‑Jayne Wilson Trainer: Mark Casse Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (Star Shoot Stakes), 1st (MSW, Woodbine), 4th (MSW, Fair Grounds) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: A talented filly with strong early foot and a sharp turn of acceleration. Casse’s turf sprinters are always dangerous at Woodbine. Wilson will likely place her just off the leaders. Track Note: Proven on Woodbine turf; handles firm conditions well.
Post 3 – Silver Cascade
Jockey: Rafael Hernandez Trainer: Barbara Minshall Morning Line Odds:8‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (Allowance, Woodbine), 1st (MSW, Woodbine), 5th (MSW, Keeneland) Running Style: Mid‑pack Analysis: A filly with a strong late kick but inconsistent early positioning. Hernandez is excellent on the turf, but she’ll need pace help. Track Note: Best efforts have come on firm turf.
Post 4 – American Heiress
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura Trainer: Chad Brown Morning Line Odds:5‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Belmont), 2nd (MSW, Gulfstream), 1st (MSW, Aqueduct) Running Style: Tactical stalker Analysis: The likely favorite. Brown ships in a classy filly with elite turf pedigree and a strong finishing punch. Kimura is the top turf rider at Woodbine and fits her perfectly. Track Note: First Woodbine start; pedigree screams firm‑turf specialist.
Post 5 – Prairie Dancer
Jockey: Justin Stein Trainer: Mike De Paulo Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 4th (Allowance, Woodbine), 1st (MSW, Woodbine), 3rd (MSW, Tampa Bay) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A gritty filly who tries hard every time but may lack the class of the top contenders. Stein will likely send her early, but she may fade late. Track Note: Prefers firm turf; struggles on yielding ground.
Post 6 – Queen’s Court
Jockey: Luis Contreras Trainer: Josie Carroll Morning Line Odds:7‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Woodbine), 2nd (MSW, Woodbine), 1st (MSW, Gulfstream) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: A rapidly improving filly with strong tactical ability. Carroll’s barn is red‑hot with turf fillies, and Contreras is excellent at rationing speed. She’s a major contender. Track Note: Loves Woodbine; undefeated on firm turf locally.
Post 7 – Sunset Serenade
Jockey: Eswan Flores Trainer: Steve Owens Morning Line Odds:15‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (Allowance, Woodbine), 1st (MSW, Woodbine), 5th (MSW, Woodbine) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A deep closer who needs a hot pace to be effective. Flores is a strong finishing rider, but she may leave herself too
much to do. Track Note: Best races have come on firm turf.
Projected Pace Scenario
Maple Leaf Magic (2) and Prairie Dancer (5) likely contest the early lead.
American Heiress (4) and Queen’s Court (6) sit ideal stalking trips.
Northern Symphony (1) and Silver Cascade (3) look to close late.
Pace expected to be honest, favoring tactical runners.
Betting Trends & Angles
Woodbine turf sprints favor tactical speed and outside stalking trips.
Chad Brown shippers win at a high rate in Canadian turf stakes.
Casse and Carroll dominate local turf stakes for fillies.
Closers win the Alywow only when pace is unusually hot.
Chippewa’s dirt surface favors speed and tactical stalkers
Winds may slightly affect wide‑draw sprinters
Horses with proven Chippewa form get a meaningful boost
Field Analysis – 2026 Francis Nelson Memorial Stakes
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, track‑condition notes, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Dakota’s Honor
Jockey: Jose Figueroa Trainer: Robert Butts Morning Line Odds:5‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Chippewa), 2nd (Allowance, Canterbury), 3rd (Stakes, North Dakota Horse Park) Running Style: Early speed Analysis: A rail‑draw sprinter with sharp early foot. His last Chippewa win was dominant, and he’s shown he can carry speed over 6 furlongs. Figueroa is one of the top riders on the circuit and excels with front‑running types. Track Note: 2‑for‑3 lifetime at Chippewa; thrives on fast dirt.
Post 2 – Northern Timber
Jockey: Stormy Smith Trainer: Kasey Willis Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (Allowance, Chippewa), 1st (Allowance, Prairie Meadows), 4th (Stakes, Will Rogers) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A consistent, professional gelding who sits just off the pace and makes one run. His local prep was strong, and he’s proven at this level. If the pace gets hot, he becomes a major threat. Track Note: Handles fast dirt well; prefers a target to chase.
Post 3 – Prairie King
Jockey: Nik Goodwin Trainer: Valorie Lund Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (Allowance, Chippewa), 1st (Allowance, North Dakota Horse Park), 2nd (Claiming, Canterbury) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: A versatile runner who can sit close or press the pace. Goodwin knows this circuit extremely well. His last race was a bit flat late, but he’s capable of a bounce‑back effort. Track Note: Best races have come on fast dirt; handles Chippewa well.
Post 4 – Red River Warrior
Jockey: Clyde Smith Trainer: Shelly Brown Morning Line Odds:10‑1Recent Finishes: 4th (Allowance, Chippewa), 3rd (Allowance, Assiniboia), 5th (Stakes, Assiniboia) Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder Analysis: A steady but unspectacular type who needs a pace collapse to win. Brown’s horses often improve with racing, but this is a tough field. Track Note: Has struggled on deeper tracks; fast dirt helps.
Post 5 – Chippewa Comet
Jockey: Don Proctor Trainer: Chad Pederson Morning Line Odds:3‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Chippewa), 1st (Allowance, Chippewa), 2nd (Allowance, North Dakota Horse Park) Running Style: Front‑running Analysis: One of the fastest horses in the field early. His last two Chippewa wins were dominant, and he posted the fastest 6F time of the meet. If he clears early, he may be very tough to run down. Track Note: Perfect 3‑for‑3 in the money at Chippewa.
Post 6 – Frosty Legend
Jockey: Quincy Hamilton Trainer: Wade Rarick Morning Line Odds:8‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (Allowance, Chippewa), 3rd (Allowance, Canterbury), 1st (Claiming, Turf Paradise) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A late‑running gelding who needs pace help. Hamilton is a strong finishing rider, but at 6 furlongs closers often run out of real estate. Still, he’s a good candidate for underneath spots. Track Note: Handles fast dirt well; prefers longer distances.
Post 7 – Spirit of Dakota
Jockey: Ry Eikleberry Trainer: Dan McFarlane Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 5th (Allowance, Chippewa), 1st (Allowance, Turf Paradise), 3rd (Allowance, Canterbury) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A talented but inconsistent runner who didn’t fire in his last Chippewa start. Eikleberry is one of the best riders on the circuit, but this horse must improve to contend. Track Note: First start on fast Chippewa dirt was below expectations.
Projected Pace Scenario
Chippewa Comet (5) and Dakota’s Honor (1) are the two fastest early.
Prairie King (3) sits just behind them.
Northern Timber (2) and Frosty Legend (6) look to close late.
Pace expected to be fast, favoring tactical stalkers and strong finishers.
Betting Trends & Angles
Chippewa Downs strongly favors early speed at 6 furlongs.
Horses with multiple local wins often repeat.
Inside posts (1–3) have a strong statistical advantage.
Chippewa’s dirt surface plays fair, but early speed is often dangerous
Light winds should not significantly affect front‑runners
Juveniles with gate speed have a major advantage at 5 furlongs
Field Analysis – 2026 Rusty Wilson Memorial Futurity
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, track‑condition notes, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Dakota Dynamo
Jockey: Jose Figueroa Trainer: Robert Butts Morning Line Odds:5‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 2nd (MSW, Canterbury) Running Style: Early speed Analysis: A sharp‑breaking colt who dominated his trial heat with a :22.4 opening quarter. The rail draw is ideal for his style. Figueroa is excellent with juveniles at Chippewa, and this colt has already shown he handles the surface well. Track Note: Loves the Chippewa dirt; strong gallop‑out in trial.
Post 2 – Northern Outlaw
Jockey: Stormy Smith Trainer: Kasey Willis Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 3rd (MSW, Prairie Meadows) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A professional, steady colt who sits just off the pace and makes one run. His trial heat win was visually impressive, and he closed strongly late. If the pace gets hot, he becomes a major threat. Track Note: Handles fast dirt well; prefers a target to chase.
Post 3 – Prairie Gold Rush
Jockey: Nik Goodwin Trainer: Valorie Lund Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 1st (MSW, North Dakota Horse Park) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: A versatile colt who can sit close or press the pace. Goodwin knows this circuit extremely well. His trial heat was solid, though he flattened slightly late. Improvement is possible second time over the track. Track Note: Best races have come on fast dirt.
Post 4 – Red River Rebel
Jockey: Clyde Smith Trainer: Shelly Brown Morning Line Odds:10‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 4th (MSW, Assiniboia) Running Style: Mid‑pack Analysis: A grinding type who lacks early speed but keeps coming late. Needs a pace collapse to win. Brown’s juveniles often improve with racing, but this is a tough spot. Track Note: Has struggled on deeper tracks; fast dirt helps.
Post 5 – Chippewa Charger
Jockey: Don Proctor Trainer: Chad Pederson Morning Line Odds:7‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 2nd (MSW, Chippewa) Running Style: Front‑running Analysis: One of the fastest horses in the field early. His trial heat win was dominant, and he posted the quickest time of all qualifiers. If he clears early, he may be very tough to run down. Track Note: Perfect 2‑for‑2 in the money at Chippewa.
Post 6 – Frosty Frontier
Jockey: Quincy Hamilton Trainer: Wade Rarick Morning Line Odds:8‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 3rd (MSW, Canterbury) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A late‑running colt who needs pace help. Hamilton is a strong finishing rider, but at 5 furlongs closers often run out of real estate. Still, he’s a good candidate for underneath spots. Track Note: Handles fast dirt well; prefers longer distances.
Post 7 – Spirit of the Plains
Jockey: Ry Eikleberry Trainer: Dan McFarlane Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 4th (Trial Heat, Chippewa), 1st (MSW, Turf Paradise) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A talented colt who won impressively at Turf Paradise but didn’t show the same spark in his trial heat. Eikleberry is one of the best riders on the circuit, but this colt must improve to contend. Track Note: First start on fast Chippewa dirt was below expectations.
Projected Pace Scenario
Chippewa Charger (5) and Dakota Dynamo (1) are the two fastest early.
Prairie Gold Rush (3) sits just behind them.
Northern Outlaw (2) and Frosty Frontier (6) look to close late.
Pace expected to be fast, favoring horses with tactical speed or strong late kicks.
Betting Trends & Angles
Chippewa Downs strongly favors early speed at 5 furlongs.
Trial heat winners historically perform well in the final.
Inside posts (1–3) have a strong statistical advantage.
Firm Churchill turf favors tactical speed and inside/mid‑pack posts
Horses with proven turf acceleration have a major advantage
Late closers need an honest pace to be effective
Field Analysis – 2026 Grade III Hanshin Stakes
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, track‑condition notes, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Imperial Frontier
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Brendan Walsh Morning Line Odds:7‑2Recent Finishes: 2nd (G3 Arlington), 1st (Allowance, Churchill), 4th (G2 Wise Dan) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A consistent turf miler with a strong turn of foot. Gaffalione knows the Churchill turf as well as anyone, and the rail draw gives him options. His Wise Dan effort was better than it looks — he was boxed in until late. Track Note: 2‑for‑4 on Churchill turf; thrives on firm ground.
Post 2 – Blue Samurai
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Kenny McPeek Morning Line Odds:10‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (Allowance, Keeneland), 1st (Allowance, Kentucky Downs), 5th (G3 Bryan Station) Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder Analysis: A steady, reliable type who rarely runs a bad race but lacks a sharp finishing kick. Needs a pace meltdown to win. Strong candidate for trifectas. Track Note: Best races have come on softer turf; firm ground is a slight negative.
Post 3 – Northern Falcon
Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Brad Cox Morning Line Odds:3‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (G3 Tampa Bay), 2nd (G2 Muniz Memorial), 1st (Allowance, Fair Grounds) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: The likely favorite. Northern Falcon has elite tactical speed and a devastating acceleration. Cox’s turf runners are always dangerous, and Geroux is one of the best turf riders in the country. Track Note: First Churchill turf start, but pedigree screams firm‑turf specialist.
Post 4 – Emerald Kingdom
Jockey: Julien Leparoux Trainer: Mark Casse Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 4th (G3 Canadian Turf), 2nd (Allowance, Gulfstream), 6th (G2 Fort Lauderdale) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A deep closer who needs a hot pace to be effective. Leparoux excels with patient turf rides, but this horse often leaves himself too much to do. Track Note: Has struggled on firm turf; prefers a bit of give.
Post 5 – American Monarch
Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Belmont), 3rd (G3 Poker), 2nd (Allowance, Gulfstream) Running Style: Tactical stalker Analysis: A classy, improving colt with a strong finishing punch. Saez will likely sit just behind the leaders and pounce turning for home. His Poker Stakes effort was excellent against older horses. Track Note: First Churchill turf start; strong 4F turf work in :47.4.
Post 6 – Redwood Ranger
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Trainer: Norm Casse Morning Line Odds:15‑1Recent Finishes: 5th (Allowance, Churchill), 1st (Allowance, Indiana), 3rd (MSW, Fair Grounds) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A gritty type who tries hard but may be outclassed here. Santana will likely send him early, but he may fade late against this level of competition. Track Note: Best efforts have come on firm turf.
Post 7 – Silver Dominion
Jockey: Jose Ortiz Trainer: Bill Mott Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Saratoga), 2nd (Allowance, Churchill), 4th (G3 Seabiscuit) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A talented late runner with a big stretch kick. Mott’s turf horses often peak in mid‑summer. The outside draw is fine for his style, but he’ll need pace help. Track Note: Strong second at Churchill last fall; handles firm turf well.
Projected Pace Scenario
Northern Falcon (3) and Redwood Ranger (6) likely contest the early lead.
American Monarch (5) and Imperial Frontier (1) sit ideal stalking trips.
Silver Dominion (7) and Emerald Kingdom (4) look to close late.
Pace expected to be moderate, favoring tactical runners.
Horses with proven Churchill form get a meaningful boost
Field Analysis – 2026 Grade III Maxfield Stakes
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, track‑condition notes, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Iron Dominion
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Brad Cox Morning Line Odds:5‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Churchill), 2nd (G3 Pat Day Mile), 3rd (G2 Lexington) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: A consistent, improving colt who loves the Churchill surface. His Pat Day Mile runner‑up effort was strong, and the rail draw gives Gaffalione options. Cox excels in one‑turn stakes at Churchill. Track Note: 2‑for‑3 lifetime at Churchill; best races on fast dirt.
Post 2 – Bluegrass Patriot
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Kenny McPeek Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (Allowance, Keeneland), 1st (Allowance, Churchill), 4th (G3 Southwest) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A grinding type who runs his best races when the pace is honest. McPeek’s horses often improve in late June. Needs a step forward to win but is a strong exotics contender. Track Note: One win and one third at Churchill.
Post 3 – Thunderous Ride
Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Steve Asmussen Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Oaklawn), 2nd (MSW, Oaklawn), 1st (MSW, Sam Houston) Running Style: Front‑running Analysis: A fast colt with improving figures. Asmussen’s one‑turn milers are always dangerous, and Geroux is excellent with pace‑controlling rides. The question is whether he can withstand pressure from outside speed. Track Note: First Churchill start; pedigree suggests he’ll handle it.
Post 4 – Coastal Empire
Jockey: Julien Leparoux Trainer: Mark Casse Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 4th (Allowance, Churchill), 2nd (Allowance, Gulfstream), 5th (G3 Holy Bull) Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder Analysis: A steady but unspectacular colt who needs a pace collapse to win. Leparoux will drop him back and make one run. Better suited for underneath spots. Track Note: Has run evenly on fast tracks; no major jumps in form.
Post 5 – American Titan
Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Morning Line Odds:3‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Belmont), 3rd (G3 Gotham), 1st (MSW, Gulfstream) Running Style: Tactical speed / stalker Analysis: A powerful Pletcher colt with a strong finishing kick. Saez is aggressive and will likely sit just off the leaders. His Gotham effort was sneaky good, and the one‑turn mile suits him perfectly. Track Note: First Churchill start; strong 5F work in :59.1.
Post 6 – Red River Rebel
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Trainer: Norm Casse Morning Line Odds:15‑1Recent Finishes: 5th (Allowance, Churchill), 1st (Allowance, Indiana), 2nd (MSW, Fair Grounds) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A gritty colt who tries hard every time but may lack the class of the top contenders. Santana will likely send him early, but he may fade late. Track Note: Best races have come on fast dirt.
Post 7 – Silver Sovereign
Jockey: Jose Ortiz Trainer: Bill Mott Morning Line Odds:8‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (Allowance, Saratoga), 2nd (Allowance, Churchill), 4th (G2 Fountain of Youth) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A late‑running colt with a big stretch kick. Mott’s horses often peak in mid‑summer. The outside draw is fine for his style, but he’ll need pace help. Track Note: Strong second at Churchill last fall; handles the surface well.
Projected Pace Scenario
Thunderous Ride (3) and Red River Rebel (6) likely contest the early lead.
Iron Dominion (1) and American Titan (5) sit perfect stalking trips.
Bluegrass Patriot (2) and Silver Sovereign (7) look to pick up pieces late.
Pace expected to be honest but not blazing, favoring tactical runners.
Betting Trends & Angles
Churchill one‑turn miles favor tactical speed.
Cox, Pletcher, and Asmussen dominate graded stakes at Churchill.
Closers win the Maxfield only when pace is unusually hot.
Horses with prior Churchill success have a strong statistical edge.
Churchill’s fast summer surface heavily favors early speed
Inside and mid‑pack posts historically strong in this race
Field Analysis – 2026 Bashford Manor Stakes
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Thunder Run
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Brad Cox Morning Line Odds:3‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Churchill), 2nd (MSW, Keeneland) Running Style: Early speed Analysis: A sharp‑breaking colt with strong rail speed, Thunder Run wired his maiden field at Churchill with a :45.1 half. Cox’s juveniles typically take a big step forward in their second and third starts. Gaffalione is lethal from the rail in 6F stakes. Track Note: Proven over the surface; excellent 4F work in :47.3.
Post 2 – Derby Express
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Kenny McPeek Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Churchill) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A powerful late runner for a 2‑year‑old, Derby Express closed from mid‑pack to win his debut. McPeek’s juveniles often improve dramatically second time out. He’ll need a hot pace to run into, but the setup looks promising. Track Note: Strong gallop‑outs in morning drills.
Post 3 – Texas Tornado
Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Steve Asmussen Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Lone Star), 3rd (MSW, Oaklawn) Running Style: Front‑running Analysis: Asmussen dominates juvenile sprint stakes, and this colt has blazing early speed. His Lone Star maiden win was visually impressive, but this is a class test. If he clears early, he becomes dangerous. Track Note: First Churchill start; pedigree suggests he’ll handle it.
Post 4 – Blue River Boy
Jockey: Julien Leparoux Trainer: Mark Casse Morning Line Odds:10‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (MSW, Churchill), 4th (MSW, Keeneland) Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder Analysis: A steady, consistent colt who lacks early punch but finishes well. Leparoux excels with patient rides, but he’ll need a pace meltdown to win. A strong candidate for trifectas and superfectas. Track Note: Best efforts have come on fast dirt.
Post 5 – American Dynamo
Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Morning Line Odds:7‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Belmont) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: A highly regarded Pletcher colt who won his debut with authority. Saez is aggressive and will likely put him in the race early. His debut figure fits well with the top contenders. Track Note: First Churchill start; strong 5F work in :59.2.
Post 6 – Red Hot Rocket
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Trainer: Norm Casse Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (MSW, Churchill), 1st (MSW, Indiana) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A gritty colt who fights on the front end but may lack the finishing kick of the top tier. Santana is excellent with aggressive juveniles, but he’ll need a career‑best effort to win. Track Note: Prefers fast tracks; struggled on sloppy going.
Post 7 – Silver Sabre
Jockey: Jose Ortiz Trainer: Bill Mott Morning Line Odds:8‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Saratoga) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A beautifully bred colt with a big late kick. Mott rarely cranks them up early, so his debut win at Saratoga is notable. The outside draw is fine for a closer, but he’ll need pace help. Track Note: First Churchill start; pedigree suggests he’ll relish the long stretch.
Projected Pace Scenario
Fast early fractions expected with Thunder Run, Texas Tornado, and Red Hot Rocket all showing early speed.
This sets up well for Derby Express and Silver Sabre, the strongest closers.
American Dynamo may get the perfect stalking trip behind the speed.
Betting Trends & Angles
Churchill juvenile stakes often favor inside speed.
Asmussen and Cox dominate 2‑year‑old sprint stakes historically.
Pletcher shippers win at a high rate in early‑summer stakes.
Closers win the Bashford Manor only when pace is extremely hot.
Speed typically holds well at 6 furlongs on a dry Churchill surface
Inside posts often advantageous for quick-breaking juveniles
Field Analysis – 2026 Debutante Stakes
Below is a horse‑by‑horse breakdown including post position, jockey, trainer, recent finishes, running style, and morning‑line odds.
Post 1 – Southern Symphony
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Brad Cox Morning Line Odds:3‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Churchill), 2nd (MSW, Keeneland) Running Style: Early speed / pace‑pressing Analysis: A filly with sharp gate speed and a strong rail draw. Her maiden win at Churchill came with a fast early pace, and she showed professionalism rating just off the leader. Cox’s juveniles typically improve second and third starts. Gaffalione excels with inside‑draw sprinters. Track Note: Loves Churchill’s surface; worked a bullet 3F in :35.2.
Post 2 – Bluegrass Belle
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Kenny McPeek Morning Line Odds:6‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Churchill) Running Style: Stalker Analysis: A powerful late kick for a 2‑year‑old, she closed from mid‑pack to win her debut. McPeek’s fillies often improve dramatically in second starts. The question is whether she can keep up early with the expected hot pace. Track Note: Strong gallop‑outs in morning works suggest stamina.
Post 3 – Desert Orchid
Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Steve Asmussen Morning Line Odds:4‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Lone Star), 3rd (MSW, Oaklawn) Running Style: Front‑running Analysis: Asmussen’s barn dominates juvenile sprint stakes, and this filly has blazing early speed. She wired the field at Lone Star with a :44.4 half. The concern is class — she faces tougher company here — but her speed figures fit. Track Note: First Churchill start; pedigree suggests she’ll handle it.
Post 4 – Mint Julep Magic
Jockey: Julien Leparoux Trainer: Mark Casse Morning Line Odds:10‑1Recent Finishes: 2nd (MSW, Churchill), 4th (MSW, Keeneland) Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder Analysis: A steady filly who lacks early punch but finishes well. Leparoux is excellent with patient rides, but she’ll need a pace collapse to win. A good candidate for underneath in exotics. Track Note: Best races have come on fast dirt.
Post 5 – Queen of Bourbon
Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Todd Pletcher Morning Line Odds:7‑2Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Belmont) Running Style: Tactical speed Analysis: Pletcher ships in a talented filly who won her debut with authority. Saez is aggressive and will likely put her in the race early. Her debut figure was strong enough to contend for the win here. Track Note: First Churchill start; strong 5F work in :59.4 at Belmont.
Post 6 – Firecracker Red
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Trainer: Norm Casse Morning Line Odds:12‑1Recent Finishes: 3rd (MSW, Churchill), 1st (MSW, Indiana) Running Style: Pace‑pressing Analysis: A gritty filly who fights on the front end but may lack the finishing kick of the top contenders. Santana is excellent with aggressive juveniles, but she’ll need a career‑best effort. Track Note: Has run her best races on fast tracks.
Post 7 – Silver Skyline
Jockey: Jose Ortiz Trainer: Bill Mott Morning Line Odds:8‑1Recent Finishes: 1st (MSW, Saratoga) Running Style: Closer Analysis: A beautifully bred filly with a big late kick. Mott rarely cranks them up early, so her debut win at Saratoga is notable. The outside draw is fine for a closer, but she’ll need pace help. Track Note: First Churchill start; pedigree suggests she’ll relish the stretch.
Projected Pace Scenario
Fast early fractions expected with Desert Orchid, Southern Symphony, and Firecracker Red all showing early speed.
This sets up well for Bluegrass Belle and Silver Skyline, the two strongest closers.
Tactical runners like Queen of Bourbon may get the perfect stalking trip.
Betting Trends & Angles
Churchill juvenile stakes often favor speed from inside posts.
Asmussen and Cox dominate 2‑year‑old sprint stakes historically.
Pletcher shippers win at a high rate in early‑summer stakes.
Closers win the Debutante only when pace is extremely hot.
A total of 223 players born in 16 countries and from 30 leagues were selected in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, which concluded Saturday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
* A total of 97 players born outside North America were selected, which ranks second over the past 22 drafts behind 2024 (99).
* A total of 58 U.S.-born players were selected, tied with 2019 for the most over the past dozen drafts. The last year with more was 2014 when 68 U.S.-born players were selected.
* Los Angeles topped all teams with 11 selections, the most the club has made in more than 30 years (12 in 1993).
* A total of 32 goalies were selected, marking the sixth time that many netminders were chosen after 1993 (36), 2001 (34), 2004 (33), 2002 (33) and 2000 (32).
* BrooksRogowski (No. 33 by VAN) was the first pick of Day 2. Before choosing to take the OHL path with the Oshawa Generals, Rogowski was pursuing a baseball scholarship and considered following in the footsteps of his father, Casey, and uncle, Ryan, who were selected in the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. A 6’7” forward, Rogowski was part of a big trend in Buffalo that saw 22 players listed at 6’5” or taller selected – the third straight year with 20 or more players of that height drafted (31 in 2025 and 27 in 2024). Before 2024, there had never been a draft on record with 20-plus players listed at 6’5” or taller in a single year.
* Twin brothers were selected by the same team – Liam Ruck (No. 22) and Markus Ruck (No. 39) by the Penguins – for the first fifth time in NHL Draft history, with the Rucks becoming the highest-selected since Daniel Sedin (No. 2) and Henrik Sedin (No. 3) by the Canucks in 1999. The other twins picked by the same club in the same year: Justin and DrewDaniels (2008 by SJS); Matt and MarkMcRae (2000 by ATL); as well as Peter and ChrisFerraro (1992 by NYR). Click here for more on the Ruck brothers.
* JoeIginla (No. 65 by CGY) was the first pick of Round 3, selected by the franchise with whom his father, Hockey Hall of Famer JaromeIginla, captained from 2003-04 to 2012-13. Jarome is the Flames’ all-time leader in games played, goals and points who finished his NHL career with 625-675—1,300 (1,554 GP) accumulated with five clubs. Each of Jarome’s children have now been selected in either the NHL or PWHL Draft, with Joe joining Tij Iginla (No. 6 in 2024 by UTA, the first pick in franchise history) and Jade Iginla (No. 18 in 2026 PWHL Draft by PWHL Hamilton).
* SimasIgnatavicius (No. 40 by FLA) became the fourth Lithuanian, based on birth country or nationality, to be selected in the NHL Draft, following DariusKasparaitis (No. 5 in 1992), DainiusZubrus (No. 15 in 1996) and AndreyPedan (No. 63 in 2011). Ignatavicius was born in Memphis, Tenn., but is a Lithuania national and has represented Lithuania six times on the international stage.
* Niklas Aaram-Olsen (No. 41 by VAN) became the third-highest Norwegian player drafted behind only Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (No. 15 by DET in 2024) and Stian Solberg (No. 23 by ANA in 2024).
* DomanSzongoth (No. 156 by BUF) became the fourth Hungarian player ever selected in the NHL Draft and first since JanosVas in 2002 (No. 32 to DAL). His father, KristófSzongoth, played professionally in Hungary for 20 years and now serves as head coach for the Hungary National Team Development Program.
* Six Czech goaltenders were selected, the most ever in a single NHL Draft. It bested the previous high of four in 2015 when current NHLers DanVladar and KarelVejmelka made up half of that cohort.
* Alexander Karmanov is listed at 7’1’’ and is the tallest player to be drafted in NHL history. The previous record is 6’9” by three players: Zdeno Chara (No. 56 in 1996), Lane Manson (No. 124 in 2002) and Braydyn Chizen (No. 204 in 2016). Karmanov is the first player born in Moldova to be selected in an NHL Draft.
TRADES ON DAY 2 OF THE NHL DRAFT
A total of 20 trades were completed Saturday through the end of Round 7, bringing the two-day total to 33 across the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft (13 Friday including nine announced during the draft).
* The Blackhawks acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 35) from the Devils in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 37) and a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 119).
* The Flames acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 42) from the Hurricanes in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 51) and a third-round pick in 2026 (No. 68).
* The Lightning acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 52) from the Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 58) and a fifth-round pick in 2026 (No. 133).
* The Blues acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs in exchange for two third-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft (Nos. 73 and 76).
* The Canadiens acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 57) from the Hurricanes in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 61) and a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 125).
* The Wild acquired a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 83) from the Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026 (No. 89) and a fifth-round pick in 2026 (No. 153).
* The Predators acquired forward AdamEdstrom from the Rangers in exchange for forward MassimoRizzo and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 148).
* The Capitals acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 101) from the Blue Jackets in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 112) and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
* The Rangers acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 102) from the Kraken in exchange for two fifth-round picks in 2026 (Nos. 131 and 148).
* The Kings acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 103) from the Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 113) and a sixth-round pick in 2026 (No. 190).
* The Penguins acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 111) from the Bruins in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026 (No. 170) and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Wild acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 112) from the Blue Jackets in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 121) and a sixth-round pick in 2026 (No. 185).
* The Golden Knights acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 113) from the Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 117) and seventh-round pick in 2026 (No. 223).
* The Avalanche acquired a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 140) from the Devils in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2026 (No. 149) and seventh-round pick in 2026 (No. 222).
* The Penguins acquired a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 160) from the Predators in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
* The Maple Leafs acquired a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 161) from the Canucks in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Hurricanes acquired defenseman JohnCarlson from the Ducks in exchange for defenseman KyleMasters and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 192).
* The Bruins acquired forward IvanIvan from the Avalanche in exchange for forward FabianLysell.
* The Golden Knights acquired a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 207) from the Red Wings in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Kings acquired a seventh-round in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 223) from the Canadiens in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
A total of 223 players born in 16 countries and from 30 leagues were selected in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, which concluded Saturday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
* A total of 97 players born outside North America were selected, which ranks second over the past 22 drafts behind 2024 (99).
* A total of 58 U.S.-born players were selected, tied with 2019 for the most over the past dozen drafts. The last year with more was 2014 when 68 U.S.-born players were selected.
* Los Angeles topped all teams with 11 selections, the most the club has made in more than 30 years (12 in 1993).
* A total of 32 goalies were selected, marking the sixth time that many netminders were chosen after 1993 (36), 2001 (34), 2004 (33), 2002 (33) and 2000 (32).
* BrooksRogowski (No. 33 by VAN) was the first pick of Day 2. Before choosing to take the OHL path with the Oshawa Generals, Rogowski was pursuing a baseball scholarship and considered following in the footsteps of his father, Casey, and uncle, Ryan, who were selected in the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. A 6’7” forward, Rogowski was part of a big trend in Buffalo that saw 22 players listed at 6’5” or taller selected – the third straight year with 20 or more players of that height drafted (31 in 2025 and 27 in 2024). Before 2024, there had never been a draft on record with 20-plus players listed at 6’5” or taller in a single year.
* Twin brothers were selected by the same team – Liam Ruck (No. 22) and Markus Ruck (No. 39) by the Penguins – for the first fifth time in NHL Draft history, with the Rucks becoming the highest-selected since Daniel Sedin (No. 2) and Henrik Sedin (No. 3) by the Canucks in 1999. The other twins picked by the same club in the same year: Justin and DrewDaniels (2008 by SJS); Matt and MarkMcRae (2000 by ATL); as well as Peter and ChrisFerraro (1992 by NYR). Click here for more on the Ruck brothers.
* JoeIginla (No. 65 by CGY) was the first pick of Round 3, selected by the franchise with whom his father, Hockey Hall of Famer JaromeIginla, captained from 2003-04 to 2012-13. Jarome is the Flames’ all-time leader in games played, goals and points who finished his NHL career with 625-675—1,300 (1,554 GP) accumulated with five clubs. Each of Jarome’s children have now been selected in either the NHL or PWHL Draft, with Joe joining Tij Iginla (No. 6 in 2024 by UTA, the first pick in franchise history) and Jade Iginla (No. 18 in 2026 PWHL Draft by PWHL Hamilton).
* SimasIgnatavicius (No. 40 by FLA) became the fourth Lithuanian, based on birth country or nationality, to be selected in the NHL Draft, following DariusKasparaitis (No. 5 in 1992), DainiusZubrus (No. 15 in 1996) and AndreyPedan (No. 63 in 2011). Ignatavicius was born in Memphis, Tenn., but is a Lithuania national and has represented Lithuania six times on the international stage.
* Niklas Aaram-Olsen (No. 41 by VAN) became the third-highest Norwegian player drafted behind only Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (No. 15 by DET in 2024) and Stian Solberg (No. 23 by ANA in 2024).
* DomanSzongoth (No. 156 by BUF) became the fourth Hungarian player ever selected in the NHL Draft and first since JanosVas in 2002 (No. 32 to DAL). His father, KristófSzongoth, played professionally in Hungary for 20 years and now serves as head coach for the Hungary National Team Development Program.
* Six Czech goaltenders were selected, the most ever in a single NHL Draft. It bested the previous high of four in 2015 when current NHLers DanVladar and KarelVejmelka made up half of that cohort.
* Alexander Karmanov is listed at 7’1’’ and is the tallest player to be drafted in NHL history. The previous record is 6’9” by three players: Zdeno Chara (No. 56 in 1996), Lane Manson (No. 124 in 2002) and Braydyn Chizen (No. 204 in 2016). Karmanov is the first player born in Moldova to be selected in an NHL Draft.
TRADES ON DAY 2 OF THE NHL DRAFT
A total of 20 trades were completed Saturday through the end of Round 7, bringing the two-day total to 33 across the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft (13 Friday including nine announced during the draft).
* The Blackhawks acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 35) from the Devils in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 37) and a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 119).
* The Flames acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 42) from the Hurricanes in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 51) and a third-round pick in 2026 (No. 68).
* The Lightning acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 52) from the Oilers in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 58) and a fifth-round pick in 2026 (No. 133).
* The Blues acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Maple Leafs in exchange for two third-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft (Nos. 73 and 76).
* The Canadiens acquired a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 57) from the Hurricanes in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 61) and a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 125).
* The Wild acquired a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 83) from the Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026 (No. 89) and a fifth-round pick in 2026 (No. 153).
* The Predators acquired forward AdamEdstrom from the Rangers in exchange for forward MassimoRizzo and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 148).
* The Capitals acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 101) from the Blue Jackets in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 112) and a fifth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
* The Rangers acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 102) from the Kraken in exchange for two fifth-round picks in 2026 (Nos. 131 and 148).
* The Kings acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 103) from the Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 113) and a sixth-round pick in 2026 (No. 190).
* The Penguins acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 111) from the Bruins in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026 (No. 170) and a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Wild acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 112) from the Blue Jackets in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 121) and a sixth-round pick in 2026 (No. 185).
* The Golden Knights acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 113) from the Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 117) and seventh-round pick in 2026 (No. 223).
* The Avalanche acquired a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 140) from the Devils in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2026 (No. 149) and seventh-round pick in 2026 (No. 222).
* The Penguins acquired a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 160) from the Predators in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
* The Maple Leafs acquired a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 161) from the Canucks in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Hurricanes acquired defenseman JohnCarlson from the Ducks in exchange for defenseman KyleMasters and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 192).
* The Bruins acquired forward IvanIvan from the Avalanche in exchange for forward FabianLysell.
* The Golden Knights acquired a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 207) from the Red Wings in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Kings acquired a seventh-round in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 223) from the Canadiens in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
MAPLE LEAFS SELECT MCKENNA WITH FIRST OVERALL PICK
Picking at No. 1 for the third time in franchise history and first since 2016, the Maple Leafs made left wing Gavin McKenna of Penn State University the top pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Global superstar Justin Bieber – a Maple Leafs fan and friend of captain Auston Matthews – was on hand to call McKenna’s name in Buffalo, at the same arena Matthews was selected a decade ago when Toronto last had the No. 1 pick.
* McKenna became the first player out of Penn State to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft and the fifth from the NCAA ever to be taken with the No. 1 pick – with three of those coming in the past six. He is coming off a season in which he finished fifth in NCAA scoring with 15-36—51 (35 GP) and became the first Nittany Lion to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
* McKenna (Whitehorse, Yukon) became the highest-selected player out of Canada’s Yukon Territory with DylanCozens (No. 7 in 2019) the only other player in that category who has been selected in the opening round.
* A member of Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation, McKenna became the first known Indigenous player selected first overall in nearly 50 years. McKenna made 2026 the third straight NHL Draft to see an Indigenous player selected in Round 1. His draft suit paid homage to his Indigenous heritage.
* Learn more about McKenna in the #NHLStats Pack published ahead of the draft.
STENBERG LEADS HISTORIC SWEDISH SURGE
Ivar Stenberg (Stockholm, Sweden) was selected with the No. 2 pick by the Sharks, triggering a historic night for his country, and became the seventh Swedish-born player to be selected among the top two in the NHL Draft – a new Pacific Division rival Leo Carlsson (No. 2 in 2023 by ANA) was the last before him.
* Stenberg had 11-22—33 with Frolunda in 2025-26 – the fifth-best SHL season ever by a player age 18 or younger – and joined his brother Otto Stenberg (No. 25 in 2023 by STL) as a first-round pick in the NHL Draft. They are the fourth set of Swedish brothers to both be selected in Round 1 of the NHL Draft, following Daniel Sedin (No. 2 in 1999) and Henrik Sedin (No. 3 in 1999), William Nylander (No. 8 in 2014) and Alex Nylander (No. 8 in 2016) as well as William Eklund (No. 7 in 2021) and Victor Eklund (No. 16 in 2025). Of note, the Nylander brothers were both born in Canada, but are Swedish nationals who represent their country in international competition.
* A record seven Swedish-born players entered the NHL on Friday – the most ever in Round 1 – with ViggoBjorck (No. 8 by WPG), AlexanderCommand (No. 12 by NJD), MalteGustafsson (No. 13 by NYI), EltonHermansson (No. 19 by LAK), JonasLagerbergHoen (No. 25 by OTT) and MarcusNordmark (No. 28 by ANA) following Stenberg.
* It also marked the second time that four Swedish-born players were selected among the top 15 picks in an NHL Draft, following the 2011 class of GabrielLandeskog (No. 2 by COL), AdamLarsson (No. 4 by NJD), MikaZibanejad (No. 6 by OTT) and JonasBrodin (No. 10 by MIN).
MORE ON ROUND 1 * Round 1 by position: 10 defensemen, 8 left wings, 8 centers and six right wings.
* Round 1 by League: OHL (7), WHL (5), NCAA (5), SWEDEN (3), SWEDEN-JR. (3), QMJHL (2), USHL (2), FINLAND (2), GERMANY (1), RUSSIA-JR. (1) and SWEDEN-2 (1).
* Round 1 by Birth Country: Canada (10), Sweden (7), United States (7), Finland (3), Kazakhstan (2), Czechia (1), Latvia (1) and Russia (1).
* The Rangers made a splash on multiple fronts Friday – they chose Alberts Smits (Valmiera, Latvia) at No. 5 to make him the highest-selected Latvian player in NHL Draft history, displacing Zemgus Girgensens (No. 14 in 2012 by BUF), and acquired Pavel Dorofeyev from the Golden Knights. Dorofeyev ranked second in the NHL with 12 goals during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Smits’ historic selection capped a season in which he hit an international trifecta by representing Latvia at the World Junior Championship, Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and the World Championship.
* For the first time in a quarter-century, a player born in Kazakhstan was picked in the opening round of the NHL Draft with Gleb Pugachyov going at No. 26 (MTL) followed immediately after by Maksim Sokolovskii at No. 27 (PHI) – marking the first time in NHL Draft history that multiple Kazakhstan-born players were selected in the same first round. Overall, only five players born in that country have been first-round picks in the NHL Draft, with Pugachyov and Sokolovskii joining Alexander Perezhogin (No. 25 in 2001 by MTL), Pavel Vorobiev (No. 11 in 2000 by CHI) and Nik Antropov (No. 10 in 1998 by TOR).
* A total of 15 players born outside North America were selected Friday, tied with 1999 and 2018 for the third-highest total in Round 1 in NHL Draft history behind the 17 in 2022 and 16 in 2000.
* The Sharks led all teams with three selections in Round 1, adding IvarStenberg (No. 2) and KeatonVerhoeff (No. 9) before trading up to select RyanLin (No. 21) – marking the first time the club has made three picks in the opening round and second time they made a pair of top-10 selections. San Jose also became the first team in more than a dozen years to make a top-two selection in three straight drafts.
* A contingent of seven U.S.-born players were selected Friday, led by ChaseReid (Pontiac, Mich.) who went at No. 7 to the Kraken, which was the most since 2021 (8). JaxonCover (No. 32 by OTT), who rounded out the group of Americans, was born in Florida but only lived there a month before moving to the Grand Cayman Islands where he spent his childhood. He began his ice hockey journey on roller skates, started attending skating camps at age 10 in Toronto, did not go to his first ice hockey tryout until he was 13 and did not play competitively until he was 14.
* The NCAA circuit had a strong night with five first-round picks, tied with 2025 and 2002 for the third most in an opening round behind 2003 (7) and 2000 (6).
* For a third straight year, at least four of the top six picks in the NHL Draft were Canadian-born (5 of 6 in 2025 & 4 of 6 in 2024). Before that, the last such occurrence was in 2014 (5 of 6).
* A total of 10 defensemen were selected including four in a row from pick Nos. 4-7 – the first time since 2012 that there was a run of four straight blueliners picked among the top 10 in the NHL Draft. Half of the top 10 picks Friday were blueliners, also a first since 2012 when a record eight of the top 10 were defensemen.
* Four players were selected in the first round with fathers who also played in the NHL: Caleb Malhotra (No. 3) was picked by the Canucks, the team his father, Manny Malhotra, both played for and is the current head coach of; Wyatt Cullen (No. 10) was selected by the Predators, the team his father, Matt Cullen, played 139 games for and defeated in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final; Maddox Dagenais (No. 16 by STL), whose father, Pierre Dagenais, played for the Devils, Panthers and Canadiens; and Marcus Nordmark (No. 28 by ANA), whose father Robert Nordmark patrolled the blueline for 236 NHL games with the Blues and Canucks.
* Other moments from the opening round included BillGuerin becoming the first in Wild history to claim the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award; Blackstone Valley high school, who have been at the forefront of hockey consciousness since a tragic shooting on Feb. 16, handing out jerseys after prospects were drafted; country music star Luke Bryan, who announced Nashville’s selection of Wyatt Cullen, who was once a kid on the ice in a Predators jersey beside his dad, hours before playing a concert in Buffalo; and Spencer Moore, a Canucks for Kids Fund beneficiary with pondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, announcing Vancouver’s selection of Adam Novotny with the 24th overall pick.
TRADE WINDS WERE BLOWING ON DRAFT DAY
After a busy week of trade action, there were 13 more trades Friday – including nine announced during the draft – which marked the most on Day 1 of a two-day draft since 2008 when there were 14. Each of the nine deals announced from the draft floor:
* The Bruins acquired forward JJ Peterka from the Mammoth for a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 23) and a first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
* The Rangers acquired forward Pavel Dorofeyev from the Golden Knights for a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 26), a third-round pick in 2026 (No. 92) and a conditional first-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
* The Blues acquired forward MasonMcTavish from the Ducks for two first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft (Nos. 15 & 29).
* The Mammoth acquired a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 17) from the Kings for a first-round pick in 2026 (No. 19) and a third-round pick in 2026 (No. 83).
* The Sharks acquired a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 21) from the Flyers for a first-round pick in 2026 (No. 27), a second-round pick in 2026 (No. 62) and a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 120).
* The Mammoth acquired goaltender SebastianCossa from the Red Wings for a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 23).
* The Canadiens acquired a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 26) from the Golden Knights for a first-round pick in 2026 (No. 28) and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
* The Ducks acquired a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 28) from the Golden Knights for a first-round pick in 2026 (No. 29) and a fourth-round pick in 2026 (No. 117).
* The Predators acquired a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (No. 31) from the Hurricanes for two second-round picks in 2026 (Nos. 42 & 57).
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