In the $100,000 La Prevoyante Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race for Ontario-bred mares, Hurricane Claire, a 4-5 favorite, dominated from the outset at Woodbine on Saturday. Ridden by Eswan Flores, she broke swiftly from post 8 to seize the lead, followed closely by Hint, War Painter, and Ella It Is as they rounded the first turn.
Hurricane Claire, competing in her fourth consecutive graded race leading up to La Prevoyante, held a solid two-length lead over Hint through the first quarter-mile, clocking 24.85 seconds. The daughter of Weather Warning and Silent Name (JPN) continued to control the pace confidently, extending her lead to three and a half lengths at the half-mile mark in 49.47 seconds, with no shifts in the running order.
Having finished fifth in last year’s La Prevoyante, Hurricane Claire maintained strong momentum into the final turn while War Painter attempted to close the gap but couldn’t gain ground on the stretch. Hurricane Claire crossed the finish line decisively ahead by 3 ¾ lengths, trained by Martin Drexler and owned by David Rowbotham, Rodney Carpenter, and Tony Boogmans. War Painter secured second place, edging out Secret Road by a neck, with ELITIS finishing fourth.
Her final time was 1:45.27. Drexler revealed that removing her blinkers, initially used to help with gate behavior, positively impacted her performance by preventing her from getting too eager behind other horses during the race.
Now boasting a 5-5-2 record in 20 starts, Hurricane Claire had faced tough competition in recent graded stakes, including the EP Taylor (G1), Ontario Matron (G3), Dans Smartly (G2), and Maple Leaf (G3), with mixed results. Drexler praised her consistent form throughout the season and expressed hopes for her growth in future races.
Previously, Hurricane Claire captured her first win in the 2023 Muskoka Stakes and made strong showings in the 2024 Canadian Triple Tiara series, including third in the Woodbine Oaks, second in the Bison City Stakes, and most recently winning the $250,000 Wonderwhere Stakes. Bred by Bru-Mel Stables Co., she was bought for $26,732 at the 2022 CTHS Premier Yearling Sale. Her win on Saturday paid $3.80.
Fan Take: Hurricane Claire’s commanding victory highlights the potential for Ontario-bred mares to shine in competitive graded stakes, inspiring confidence for breeders and trainers in the regional racing circuit. Her consistent performances also promise exciting rivalries and storylines that keep fans engaged and propel the sport forward.
