The Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes and Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes are enough of a lure at Woodbine on Sunday, and those two in the 20-cent Late Pick 5 make the day all that much more alluring.

The sequence runs in races 7-12. The E.P. Taylor goes as the eighth and the Nearactic is the ninth.

Here’s a look at this Sunday’s play, which amounts to $76.80:



7th Race (4:04 p.m. ET, allowance)

ANTIGONE had a three-race winning streak in July and August and most recently lost an optional claiming race by a nose. She displayed eye-catching late moves in her last two turf races – most recent a fourth going seven furlongs and a win going a mile two races back.

The 1 1-16th-mile distance on the turf should play well for her.

Also on the ticket: #2 ADMIRING, #4 A LITTLE VOODOO, #6 TRANSIENT.



8th Race (4:37 p.m. ET, G1 E.P. Taylor S.)

LA DRAGONTEA takes on a legit Grade 1 field here and goes for her third straight victory.

Her most recent came in the G2 Canadian Stakes and she’ll probably benefit from having had that start here. Has a good thing with jockey Joel Rosario, who is three of four aboard her, and she’s three of five since arriving from Great Britain this year.

Trainer Christophe Clement has the filly at the top of her game and ready for his spot.

Also on the ticket: #2 ETOILE, #3 COURT RETURN, #4 KALIFORNIA QUEEN, #6 MUTAMAKINA, #8 GREAT ISLAND.


9th Race (5:09 p.m. ET, allowance optional claiming)

LOOKIN TO STRIKE was third in the G3 Bold Venture last out and has significant stakes experience that will make this veteran a strong player in this allowance race.

Will have a fast pace to chase and he can bring his best in the final furlong. He comes out of a race in which he was third all the way around and because of being close-up lacked late energy. Opponents at this level likely will back up to him.

Also on the ticket: ARTIE.



10th Race (5:44 p.m. ET, G2 Nearctic S.)

ADMIRALTY PIER has been in front of Grade 1 competition going longer distances but his connections have found a new approach: Sprints. He was far back early in the six-furlong, G1 Highlander Stakes and rallied from last to second, beaten a half-length by Silent Poet.

It marked the first time he’d been ridden by Antonio Gallardo, who gets the return call for trainer Barbara Minshall. The Highlander was raced in 1:07 4-5, and a return to the six furlongs should play in his favor.

Also on the ticket: OLYMPIC RUNNER, AVIE’S FLATTER, TOWN CRUISE.


11th Race (6:16 p.m. ET, claiming)

FRAME THIS has toiled against much tougher since being claimed last year by the Tiller barn, and he drops to his lowest level since breaking his maiden for $10,000 last year.

He was second by a head and third by 4 1-4 against $40,000 optional claimers this year and most recently was unplaced for $25,000. He gets back to the purchase price today and should show significant improvement.

Also on the ticket: WIDE AWAKE.


My Ticket

Race 7) #1 Antigone, #2 Admiring, #4 A Little Voodoo, #6 Transient.

Race 8) #2 Etoile, #3 Court Return, #4 Kalifornia Queen, #6 Mutamakina, #8 Great Island, #10 La Dragontea.

Race 9) #2 Lookin to Strike, #8 Artie.

Race 10) #1 Admiralty Pier, #3 Olympic Runner, #5 Avie’s Flatter, #9 Town Cruise.

Race 11) #3 Frame This, #13 Wide Awake.

Total Ticket Cost) 1,2,4,6/2,3,4,6,8,10/2,8/1,3,5,9/3,13 = $76.80 for $0.20