Fire and Wine Dominates Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine
In a masterful display of sustained speed and determination, the racehorse known as Fire and Wine claimed a decisive victory in the $283,000 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine. This event marked the final challenge in the esteemed Canadian Triple Crown series. From the moment the starting gates opened, Fire and Wine, under the expert guidance of jockey Jalon Samuel, took command of the field and never relinquished the lead, ultimately triumphing by a significant margin of four lengths. This impressive performance underscored the colt's remarkable stamina and bold racing style, solidifying its place among the season's top contenders and providing a memorable moment for its connections.
The 1 1/2-mile turf race, designed for three-year-old horses bred in Canada, saw a clean break among its six competitors. As anticipated by many, Fire and Wine immediately surged to the front, with jockey Jalon Samuel skillfully positioning the bay colt on the rail after a quarter-mile split of 25.15 seconds. Imyourmedicineman, starting from an outside post, kept close tabs on the leader in second, while Keepmypowderdry headed the next group, with Buium racing on its outside. Bond Market conserved ground in fifth, and Katie's Grace, the sole filly and pre-race favorite, settled at the rear early on.
As the race progressed, Fire and Wine, with Imyourmedicineman still in pursuit, extended its advantage over the rest of the field, reaching the half-mile mark in 50.48 seconds. Approaching the midpoint of the challenging 12-furlong Canadian classic, Katie's Grace made a strong move into third position but remained a considerable distance behind the freewheeling Fire and Wine, which continued to dictate the pace, clocking six furlongs in 1:15.10 over the firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
Even without blinkers, Fire and Wine maintained its leading position through a mile in 1:40.73, though its lead began to diminish as competitors intensified their efforts. Imyourmedicineman held onto second, with Katie's Grace closing to within half a length in third along the rail, and Buium positioned outside her in fourth. Despite the closing challenge, Fire and Wine sustained its lead through 10 furlongs in 2:05.90. Jockey Samuel then urged the colt on, and Fire and Wine responded with a powerful burst, pulling away again to secure victory by four lengths in a final time of 2:30.57.
Following the race, Samuel expressed immense pride in his achievement, stating that this win represented the most significant moment of his career. Having won the Barbados Gold Cup seven times, Samuel articulated his intention to establish his future in Canada, viewing it as his new home alongside Barbados, and expressed his commitment to building his career there with patience. Trainer Zeljko Krcmar attributed the colt's success to its unique running style, noting that while the horse might hesitate if challenged early, its bravery and relentless drive from the front are unparalleled. Krcmar emphasized his strong faith in Fire and Wine's ability to maintain its lead when unpressured. The colt, bred in Ontario by James and Janeane Everatt, Arika Meeuse, and Robert Marzilli, now boasts a career record of 3 wins, 0 seconds, and 4 thirds from 13 starts, bringing considerable excitement to owner Paul Ryder, who initially harbored some doubts about the colt's ability to hold off challengers over such a long distance.
Fire and Wine, which had opened at 10-1 odds on the morning line and went off at 11-1, rewarded its backers with a payout of $24.70. Bond Market made a late rally to claim second place, with Buium finishing third. Imyourmedicineman secured fourth, while the favored Katie's Grace finished fifth. A post-race inquiry and an objection from Imyourmedicineman's rider, Fraser Aebly, against runner-up Bond Market and jockey Xarel Forde, were reviewed by the stewards, who ultimately decided to uphold the original order of finish. This victory adds Fire and Wine to the list of sophomore classic winners, alongside Luster, who dominated the King's Plate, and Military Time, who captured the Prince of Wales Stakes, marking a memorable Canadian Triple Crown series for 2026.