Graded stakes winner Dixie Rowe is set to compete against eight contenders in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity, part of an 11-race lineup at Woodbine on Saturday, which also features the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
The 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity, a premier event for Canadian two-year-old horses on the main track, is an important stepping stone toward the 167th King’s Plate, the first leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. Meanwhile, the 1 1/16-mile Princess Elizabeth Stakes serves as a significant race for Canadian two-year-old fillies, paving the way to the 71st Woodbine Oaks, the initial leg in the Canadian Triple Tiara series.
Dixie Rowe, trained by Dale DeRuisseau, will compete against males in the Coronation Futurity. DeRuisseau chose this race over the Princess Elizabeth because Dixie Rowe has previously beaten male horses in the Cup and Saucer and the race distance is well-suited to her. The filly, by Union Rags out of Bit of Dixie’s Tiz The Row, is aiming for her fourth consecutive stakes win following an impressive victory in the $150,000 Mazarine (G3) on November 2, with jockey Rafael Hernandez guiding her to a one-and-a-quarter length win in 1:46.71.
DeRuisseau noted that Dixie Rowe tends to pace herself, showing determination without overwhelming her competitors, a trait seen even during training. This will be the filly’s second stakes victory after winning the Cup and Saucer on October 5 for owner Garland Williamson’s Hillsbrook Farm.
Dixie Rowe debuted on July 12 and has since shown consistent performance across various races. She recently clocked a strong five-furlong time on the main track, signaling readiness for the Princess Elizabeth competition.
Other notable horses in the Coronation Futurity include Navy Street, trained by Hall of Famer Sid Attard. Navy Street recently finished second in the Display Stakes and won his debut by 2 1/4 lengths. Jockey Eswan Flores praised Navy Street’s maturity and versatility, crediting Attard’s training for the horse’s adaptability in different race conditions.
Historically, the Coronation Futurity has seen multiple repeat winners, including jockeys Avelino Gomez and Sandy Hawley, who each won four consecutive times.
The Princess Elizabeth race will feature eight promising fillies such as Ashley B and Piper’s Gift. Ashley B, trained by Patrick Dixon, has an aggressive training style and is gearing up for her first stakes race. Piper’s Gift, a homebred from Chiefswood Stables, recently claimed her first stakes win in the Glorious Song Stakes with a commanding performance.
Both races have strong breeding backgrounds and trainers confident in their horses’ potential to excel at longer distances. Winning mares from the Princess Elizabeth have historically gone on to succeed in the Woodbine Oaks, adding prestige to this event.
The first race starts at 1:05 p.m., and fans can watch and place bets through HPIbet.com and bet365, with diverse wagering options available for both the Coronation Futurity and Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Coronation Futurity Field (Race 10):
1. Navy Street – Eswan Flores – Sid Attard
2. Dixie Rowe – Rafael Hernandez – Dale DeRuisseau
3. Imyourmedicineman – Luis Contreras – Harold Ladouceur
4. Buium – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
5. Deputy Carlin – Ryan Munger – Mark Cass
6. My Love – Zarel Forde – Pat Parente
7. Fire and Wine – Slade Jones – Zeljko Krczmar
8. Speights Will – Emma Jane Wilson – Stephen Chirkop
9. Military Time – Fraser Avery – Mark Cass
Princess Elizabeth Field (Race 8):
1. Fleury – Luis Contreras – Josie Carroll
2. Paradise Bells – Fraser Avery – Josie Carroll
3. Ashley B – Da-Sean Gaskin – Patrick Dixon
4. Piper’s Gift – Rafael Hernandez – Dale DeRuisseau
5. Backstreet Emma – Emma Jane Wilson – Mike DePaulo
6. La Classe – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
7. Katie’s Grace – Ryan Munger – Katherine Day Phillips
8. Winning Agenda – Jaron Samuel – Sid Attard
Fan Take: This dual showcase at Woodbine highlights some of the brightest young talent in Canadian thoroughbred racing, setting the stage for future champions in the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara series. For fans and the sport alike, it’s a thrilling glimpse of the next generation, promising exciting storylines and fierce competition in the seasons ahead.
