3 Best Bets for the 2025 E.P. Taylor Stakes

The 2025 E.P. Taylor Stakes, a prestigious Grade 1 turf race for fillies and mares, takes place today, Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Woodbine Racetrack, offering a CAN $750,000 purse and a place in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. With a compact field of seven talented runners, this 1¼-mile turf showdown promises to be as tactical as it is exciting.

Key Insights:

• She Feels Pretty (3‑5) is the clear standout, dominant Grade 1 form, and elite closing ability make her the horse to beat.
• Diamond Rain (6‑1) brings international firepower from Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby, along with top jockey William Buick, an obvious threat.
• Ready for Shirl (7‑2), trained by Hall-of-Fame Roger Attfield and ridden by Javier Castellano, is peaking at home and entering the race in great form.

1. She Feels Pretty – The Overwhelming Favorite (3-5)

If you're placing a win bet, She Feels Pretty is the one. With a composite rating that towers above the rest and Grade 1 wins under her belt, she is the form horse of the race. Her running style is perfectly suited for Woodbine’s turf: she stalks early before unleashing a devastating late kick. Most handicappers peg her as the likely winner; just keep in mind her odds limit the value on a win wager.

2. Diamond Rain – The International Dark Horse (6-1)

For those seeking value, Diamond Rain stands out. Representing the powerful Godolphin stable with trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick on board, she’s coming off a winning streak overseas and carries a strong turf pedigree. Her class and connections make her a serious contender. If you're looking for a logical upset or a key pick in exotics, she’s at the top of that list.

3. Ready for Shirl – Peak-Form Domestic Threat (7-2)

If you're betting on a horse with local form and ideal connections, Ready for Shirl deserves your attention. Trained by Roger Attfield and piloted by Javier Castellano, she just captured the Grade 2 Canadian and had a solid second in the Nassau Stakes, demonstrating familiarity with Woodbine’s turf. With her late-closing style, she fits the expected race pace and offers solid value in exotics.

Why These Three Stand Above the Rest:

• Class & Form: She Feels Pretty is in a league of her own; Diamond Rain brings international class; Ready for Shirl is red-hot domestically.
• Pace Setup: With no clear front-runner, the race likely develops at a moderate early tempo, ideal for closers like our top picks.
• Wagering Strategy:
  • Win Bet: Go conservative with She Feels Pretty.
  • Exacta / Trifecta: Key Diamond Rain and Ready for Shirl underneath She Feels Pretty.
  • Value Tweaks: Caitlinhergrtness (8‑1), and longshot Venencia (12‑1) could add upside in deeper tickets.

Final Bet Strategy Summary

For the smartest bets:

1. Win: She Feels Pretty (3-5) – safe but low payout.
2. Exacta Box or Key: Include Diamond Rain and Ready for Shirl underneath the favorite.
3. Trifecta / Superfecta: Add Caitlinhergrtness and Venencia for value and potential surprise payoffs.

Feel free to tailor the stakes to your risk appetite; these three horses form the backbone of a well-rounded wagering approach.

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.