Six three-year-old horses are scheduled to compete in Saturday’s Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine, featuring a purse of $400,000 plus an additional $100,000 for eligible Ontario-bred horses. This race is the final leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown and takes place on the E.P. Taylor turf course, covering the longest distance at 1½ miles. Earlier in the series, Luster claimed the 167th King’s Plate on August 15, followed by Military Time’s victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes on September 7.
Among the contenders is Buium, a multiple stakes-placed horse named after young Vancouver Canucks star Zeev Buium. He is entering his fifth stakes race after a strong third-place finish in the Prince of Wales Stakes, trailing just three-quarters of a length behind Military Time on the dirt surface at Fort Erie. Trainer Kevin Attard praised Buium’s effort, noting his consistent heart and competitiveness despite narrowly missing the win.
Bred by Al and Bill Ulwelling, Buium is a son of Uncle Mo out of the stakes-placed mare Lady Haddassah, though he has yet to secure his first victory. From 10 races, he has placed second twice, third four times, and finished in the top four nine times overall. Attard is eager to see Buium, who typically shows a strong late surge, break his maiden on a course and distance that should suit his stamina and running style.
Attard explained, “Given the race’s long turf stretch, it’s perfect for a horse that can sustain his speed for a long time. We expect him to find some front-runners to chase early, allowing him to launch his powerful finishing kick.” Buium’s debut came on August 16, 2025, over seven furlongs at Woodbine’s turf course where, despite a rough start, he rallied impressively to finish initially fifth and was later promoted to fourth following a steward’s inquiry.
Finishing his rookie year with several strong performances, including two thirds and a fourth, Buium has raced five times this season with a record of zero wins, two places, and two shows on both main track and inner turf surfaces at Woodbine. Attard is optimistic about the colt breaking through at the Breeders’ Stakes, emphasizing Buium’s steady improvement and reliable race pattern.
Co-owner Al Ulwelling added that the horse’s calm temperament and family lineage, tracing back to the successful Prince of Wales winner Haddassah, give them confidence for this major Woodbine race. Winning the Breeders’ Stakes would be a highlight alongside their 2025 King’s Plate win with Mansetti and fits their ambition to triumph in top-tier races at Woodbine.
Both Ulwelling and Attard have experienced success together in Canadian Triple Crown events before, and securing all three legs would be a significant accomplishment. Elaine Bradbury will be attending to Buium as his groom.
The last Triple Crown winner was Wando in 2003, and since then, several horses have claimed two of the three races but fell short of sweeping the series. Notably, Belichick won the Breeders’ Stakes in 2020, preventing a stablemate from achieving the Triple Crown.
Recently, Buium clocked four furlongs in 50.40 seconds on the dirt training track as part of his preparation. Attard described the workout as a maintenance breeze, confident the horse is in ideal condition heading into the race.
Some quick notes: Miami Deco, an Ontario-bred long shot, was the biggest odds-winning horse in the Breeders’ Stakes in 2010, paying $132.10 for a $2 bet. Trainer Catherine Day Phillips made history by becoming the first woman to win this race in 2004 and repeated the feat in 2005.
The wagering options for the Breeders’ Stakes include Rolling Double, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, and Swinger bets. The official field for Saturday’s race includes Bond Market, Keepmypowderdry, Fire and Wine, Katie’s Grace, Buium, and Imyourmedicineman.
This coverage was originally published by Paulick Report on September 24, 2026.
Fan Take: This exciting finale to the Canadian Triple Crown highlights the growing talent in Canadian horse racing and the potential for emerging stars like Buium to etch their names in history. For fans, it’s not just about the race itself but seeing the sport thrive through fierce competition and the pursuit of legendary achievements that keep the racing tradition alive and captivating.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
