Kevin Attard, who has already secured two wins in the prestigious E.P. Taylor Stakes, seeks a historic third victory this Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack. His charge, Caitlinhergrtness, last year’s $1-million King’s Plate champion, will be among seven contenders vying for the $750,000 Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes title, with the filly aiming to become the first horse ever to win both the King’s Plate and E.P. Taylor in the same year. Caitlinhergrtness’s participation highlights the growing excitement around the Caitlinhergrtness Plate E.P. Taylor double.

Caitlinhergrtness’s Chance to Make History in Canadian Racing

Caitlinhergrtness, named in honor of WNBA star Caitlin Clark, boasts an impressive record with four wins and a total of eight top-three finishes in twelve career starts. She has earned over $800,000 throughout her racing career and enters the E.P. Taylor Stakes following a strong second place in the $150,000 Grade III Trillium Stakes at Woodbine on July 26, ridden by jockey Rafael Hernandez.

The filly’s versatility between surfaces is a key point of optimism ahead of Saturday’s turf race, as the E.P. Taylor is contested on grass over 1 1/4 miles—the same distance as the King’s Plate, although the latter is run on Woodbine’s Tapeta synthetic track. Attard highlighted Caitlinhergrtness’s adaptability, saying,

“Some horses appreciate the turf a little bit more; some horses are naturally only turf,”

and added,

“She’s been versatile, which is nice.”

Attard Reflects on Opportunities and Challenges for Caitlinhergrtness

As Canada’s top trainer from last year, Attard remains focused on preparing Caitlinhergrtness without looking too far ahead. He remarked,

I don’t think that far ahead to be quite honest,

explaining that preparation and some racing luck will determine if the filly can make history. Celebrating Caitlinhergrtness’s achievements so far, he added,

“She’s a special horse already in my heart, obviously, winning the King’s Plate with her. To win the E.P. Taylor would be a feather in the cap, so to speak.”

Caitlinhergrtness’s previous attempt in the E.P. Taylor Stakes resulted in a disappointing eighth-place finish during the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes on June 28. Attard conveyed confidence that the filly will perform better this time:

“Her only race on the E.P. Taylor was a little disappointing, I’m not sure why. We were really confident going into that race but for some reason she didn’t run to her potential. Hopefully, she transitions Saturday a lot better than she did last time.”

Competitive Field and Stakes for the E.P. Taylor Victory

The seven-horse field for Saturday’s E.P. Taylor Stakes includes notable competitors such as She Feels Pretty, a four-time Grade 1 winner who took the 2023 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes and later finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita. A win in the upcoming race will guarantee the victor an automatic entry into the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar this fall, adding high stakes to the contest.

Attard highlighted Caitlinhergrtness’s potential for competing on the international stage:

“A win in the E.P. Taylor would give her an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup, that would solidify that,”

asserting,

“She’s a very good horse, definitely has the potential.”

He also acknowledged the challenge, saying,

“She has to up her game and put her running shoes on, no doubt about it. Saturday is going to be a good test.”

Jockey Change and Race Conditions Ahead of Saturday’s Event

Flavien Prat, a multiple stakes-winning jockey from France, will take the reins aboard Caitlinhergrtness, replacing Rafael Hernandez who will ride the French contender Venencia. The E.P. Taylor Stakes is being held earlier in the season than usual to accommodate upcoming improvements to the Woodbine turf track. This adjustment may benefit both horse and trainer, considering Caitlinhergrtness’s prior success in the King’s Plate this year.

Kevin Attard’s Strategy and Additional Starters in the Canadian Triple Crown

Attard is not only focused on Caitlinhergrtness; he also has three starters—Dewolf, Faber, and Mansetti—in the 13-horse King’s Plate field. A third win in this opening leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown would further cement his status among Canada’s leading trainers. He expressed the importance of positioning during the E.P. Taylor Stakes, noting,

“Obviously, with seven horses it’s not hugely detrimental, but you can still get parked out a little wide on that first bend,”

and emphasizing,

“You never want to lose ground, especially against top-quality horses.”

Regarding Caitlinhergrtness’s starting position, Attard said,

“We’re breaking from the five hole, so it’s not a bad post, and she’s also pretty tactical to boot. She’s doing really well right now, which is all you can ask of her at this point.”

Looking Back at Caitlinhergrtness’s Grade 1 Experience

Saturday’s E.P. Taylor Stakes will mark Caitlinhergrtness’s second appearance in a Grade 1 contest, following her third-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, Kentucky, last October. The winner of that race was She Feels Pretty, a reminder of the strong competition she faces. Attard reflected on that past performance, saying,

“We were on the lead, which surprised me a bit, but she’s comfortable there,”

and,

“The winner was in a race of her own that day, but we were in the hunt, so there’s no disgrace in the effort there.”

Potential Impact of a Historic Double Victory

Caitlinhergrtness’s pursuit of the Plate and E.P. Taylor Stakes double represents a significant moment in Canadian Thoroughbred racing history. A win would not only elevate her status as a top filly but also place trainer Kevin Attard alongside legends Lou Cavalaris Jr., Frank Merrill Jr., and Maurice Zilber, each with three E.P. Taylor wins. The victory would reinforce the prominence of the Woodbine Racetrack in hosting premier races and boost Canadian entries in international events like the Breeders’ Cup.

As the weekend’s races approach, all eyes will remain on Caitlinhergrtness, whose promise and versatility continue to inspire confidence among her handlers and racing enthusiasts alike, promising an intense and meaningful contest at Woodbine.