Brachetto, a three-year-old colt bred in Manitoba, pulled off a stunning upset in the $150,000 Marine Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Sent off at 18-1, the longest price in the six-horse field, Brachetto proved trainer Julia Carey and jockey Ryan Munger correct in their belief he could handle two turns.
Race Details and Key Performances
Ridden by Ryan Munger, Brachetto settled near the rail at the back of the field for the 1 1/16-mile race. Munger guided him around the turn and into the stretch, where he passed race favourite Casson and then ran down second-choice Magical Factor near the wire. The win was Brachetto's first in stakes company and his second career victory, following a maiden-breaking effort in his third start. He entered the Marine off a third-place finish in the Queenston Stakes.
“I really thought he would enjoy the two turns and I’m very glad he showed that today at the races. It was his stiffest test and he’s passed it with flying colours,” Carey said. Munger added, “We’ve still got a long time to the Plate but it’s great to have these kind of horses in your arsenal.” The Marine is a key prep for the King's Plate on August 15.
Other Stakes Winners
The Marine was one of five stakes races on Woodbine's Canada Day festival card. Trainer Josie Carroll sent out Luster to win the $150,000 Selene Stakes. Ridden by Fraser Aebly, Luster tracked pacesetter Tulip, made her move late on the turn, and took command at the top of the stretch. The three-year-old filly, who won her first two starts before a third in the Ruling Angel Stakes, appreciated the longer distance. “I truly think she wants to go two turns,” Aebly said. The win likely points Luster to the Woodbine Oaks on July 19.
Miss Vyvyanne, a six-year-old mare, dominated the $200,000 Highlander Stakes. Normally racing against other mares in claiming ranks, she took an early lead under jockey Pietro Moran and was never challenged, winning as the 8-5 favourite in 56 1/5 seconds. Trainer Gail Cox claimed Miss Vyvyanne one year ago Sunday and has led her to five wins since. The mare is now 12-for-25 lifetime.
Ryan Munger won his second stakes of the day aboard Runaway Again in the $150,000 Dominion Day Stakes. The pair stalked a slow pace early in the 1 1/8-mile race, and Munger found room in the stretch to get out and catch veteran Paramount Prince, winning by a head. Trained by Sid Attard, Runaway Again scored an upset in last year's Prince of Wales Stakes and opened this season with two third-place finishes. The Dominion Day was his fourth career win.
In the $150,000 Royal North Stakes, Shifty outlasted 11 rivals for her fifth career win. Ridden by Rafael Hernandez, Shifty tracked the lead early on turf, moved out to collar Without Cause in the stretch, and held off late-closing Fantastical. Trained by Mark Casse, the four-year-old filly was second in both the Woodbine Oaks and Wonder Where Stakes last season.
Additional Highlights
Yves Turcotte, a winner of 1,347 races in his riding career, received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award, Woodbine's lifetime achievement award for jockeys. Turcotte rode in 11,000 races, mainly in Alberta, and has served as a racing steward there for 17 years.
At Churchill Downs, Magnitude won the $2 million Stephen Foster Stakes gate-to-wire, establishing himself as the top horse in the U.S. following his earlier win in the Dubai World Cup. Meanwhile, Aqueduct Racetrack held its final races on Sunday after 132 years, with year-round racing moving to the rebuilt Belmont Park in September.
