The E.P. Taylor Stakes has a new home on the 2025 calendar, and it promises to be a thrilling affair. Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada, hosts this prestigious Grade 1 event for fillies and mares aged three and up. This year, the race moves to a new slot on the calendar, headlining the massive King's Plate Day card. This move adds even more excitement to an already jam-packed day of racing, making August 16th a must-watch for any serious horse racing fan.
This race, a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, guarantees a free pass to one of the biggest stages in North American racing, so that the competition will be fierce. You can find the official E.P. Taylor Stakes odds here with us, where we've already seen significant action on the anticipated contenders. We’ve meticulously analyzed every horse, their connections, and their past performances to give you the most accurate pre-race breakdown available.
The 2025 E.P. Taylor Stakes will take place on Saturday, August 16th, as part of the highly anticipated King's Plate Day at Woodbine Racetrack. The E.P. Taylor Stakes is the seventh race on the card, with an estimated post time of 4:14 p.m. Eastern Time.
The race is contested over a challenging distance of one and one-quarter miles on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, and it features a substantial purse of $750,000. This race is a fantastic opportunity for bettors to get in on the action and find some incredible value. Don’t wait until the last minute to review the full racecard and get your wagers in; understanding the E.P. Taylor Stakes betting landscape early gives you a significant edge. You can find all the information you need, from post times to past performance data, right here to make your bet on E.P. Taylor Stakes a winner.
A crucial factor that can influence any turf race is the weather. For Saturday, August 16th, the forecast for Toronto, Ontario, calls for a high of 30°C (86°F). There is a 30% chance of precipitation, with a wind blowing at 20 km/h from the south. The weather is likely to play a role, but with only a slight chance of rain, we should see a relatively firm turf course. This could favor horses with a quick turn of foot and a preference for fast ground. When you're considering the E.P. Taylor Stakes odds, always account for how a horse performs on different types of ground. Some horses thrive on a firm course, while others excel when there's a little give in the ground. The weather forecast suggests we will see some strong performances from horses who like to run on the lead or close on a fast-paced track.
The E.P. Taylor Stakes serves as the marquee turf event on a spectacular day of racing that also features the $1 million King's Plate. The full card at Woodbine is stacked with high-quality races.
Other notable races on the card include the $200,000 Grade 2 King Edward Stakes, a one-mile turf contest for three-year-olds and upward; the $150,000 Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes, a six-and-a-half-furlong sprint on the all-weather track; and the $150,000 Catch a Glimpse Stakes and Soaring Free Stakes, both for two-year-olds on the turf.
This entire card provides excellent betting opportunities, and studying each race thoroughly can lead to a very profitable day. Each race has its own set of challenges, and finding the right horses to include in your multi-race wagers, such as a Pick 3 or Pick 4, is the key to a successful day at the track. We have compiled a detailed analysis of all races, giving you the insights you need to win big.
This year's E.P. Taylor Stakes features a small but incredibly competitive field of seven fillies and mares. The field showcases a fantastic mix of international talent and proven North American runners.
We have the British-bred Diamond Rain, trained by the formidable Charlie Appleby, who is a perennial threat in these international turf races. She has two wins at the 1 1/4-mile distance and looks to be a major player.
Then we have the American star She Feels Pretty, a multiple Grade 1 winner who returns to Woodbine, a track where she has already found success. Trainer Cherie DeVaux sends her to Canada with jockey John Velazquez, and she will likely be the favorite.
Canadian-bred Caitlinhergrtness also enters the race with significant fanfare, having won the King's Plate in 2024 and already securing a stakes victory this year. We also see entries from well-respected trainers like Michael J. Doyle and Roger L. Attfield, who have a long history of success at Woodbine. Each horse presents a unique challenge, and carefully evaluating each one is crucial for your E.P. Taylor Stakes betting strategy. You can review the whole field below, along with their morning-line odds.
Venencia, a four-year-old French-bred filly, enters the E.P. Taylor Stakes for trainer Michael J. Doyle with a record that shows flashes of brilliance mixed with some inconsistency. She has a career record of 2 wins, 1 second, and 5 thirds from 11 starts, with over $190,000 in career earnings. This year, she has been a regular on the stakes trail, with three third-place finishes in graded stakes company.
Notably, she finished third in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine in July, showing she can handle the course. Her most recent workout on August 8th was a sharp five-furlong breeze on the turf in 1:01.20, suggesting she is coming into the race in good shape.
Her running style is typically a closer, and with a likely moderate pace, she will need to be well-placed by jockey Rafael Manuel Hernandez to make her late run effective. At morning-line odds of 12/1, she is a horse with a chance to hit the board and offers solid value for exotic bets.
Literate, a five-year-old Kentucky-bred mare, comes into the E.P. Taylor Stakes with a recent surge in form. Trained by Martin Drexler and ridden by Sahin Civaci, she shocked many by winning the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes at Woodbine in July, defeating King's Plate winner Caitlinhergrtness in the process.
This victory marked her first career stakes win and showed a potent closing kick on Woodbine's main track. However, a significant question mark hangs over her as she transitions to the turf. Her recent success has come exclusively on the all-weather Tapeta surface. While her pedigree suggests she could handle the turf, her limited experience on grass makes her a significant wild card.
At 20/1 morning-line odds, she represents a longshot play, but her recent winning form cannot be ignored. A successful transition to the turf would make her a serious threat, but it is a big leap of faith for bettors.
Diamond Rain, a four-year-old British-bred filly, represents a serious international threat for the powerful Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. She arrives in Canada with a strong record of 4 wins from 6 career starts, with over $180,000 in earnings. This filly has been in winning form in 2025, capturing a Group 3 and a Listed race in England, both at or near the 1 1/4-mile distance.
Her connections are notorious for shipping horses to North America for major turf races and finding the winner's circle. Jockey William Buick, who has been aboard her for her recent victories, makes the trip to ride, which is a significant vote of confidence. Her sole poor performance came in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Ascot last year, but she has since rebounded with two impressive victories. She has tactical speed and a decisive turn of foot, a combination that plays well on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
At 6/1, she is an incredibly appealing option for your E.P. Taylor Stakes odds, and many expert handicappers consider her a major threat to the favorite.
She Feels Pretty, the heavy favorite at 3/5, has an undeniable resume. This four-year-old Karakontie filly, trained by Cherie DeVaux, has put together a near-perfect campaign this year. Her career record stands at 7 wins from 10 starts, with her recent form being imposing. She won the Grade 3 Modesty Stakes and then followed that up with a half-length victory in the Grade 1 New York Stakes at Saratoga.
She also has a history of winning at Woodbine, capturing the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes as a two-year-old. Her connections, including jockey John Velazquez, are a formidable team with a history of success in primary races. She is a versatile horse who can sit off the pace or take command, making her a difficult opponent to out-maneuver. The one-and-a-quarter-mile distance is well within her wheelhouse, and her class edge is undeniable.
Her short odds reflect her status as the horse to beat, but there is always a chance for an upset in horse racing. Bettors must decide if they are willing to accept the low payout on a win bet or if they can find better value in exotics with the favorite. This is where your E.P. Taylor Stakes betting savvy comes into play.
Caitlinhergrtness, a four-year-old Canadian-bred filly, has a story that will capture the hearts of local fans. As the winner of the 2024 King's Plate, she holds a special place in Woodbine history. Trainer Kevin Attard, a two-time E.P. Taylor winner, brings her to the turf with a renewed sense of purpose. Her recent form has been a mix, with a win in the Grade 3 Belle Mahone Stakes and a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Trillium Stakes, both on the main track. Her last start on the E.P. Taylor turf course was a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes, but Attard believes she will perform better this time around.
Jockey Flavien Prat, a world-class rider who became available after a scratch in another race, picks up the mount, which is a major positive. Her pedigree is strong, and she has proven she can handle the distance on the Tapeta. If she can replicate her King's Plate form on the turf, she is a serious contender.
At 8/1, she represents a great E.P. Taylor Stakes betting opportunity with both a strong narrative and a solid chance to win.
Hurricane Clair, another Canadian-bred from the barn of Martin Drexler, is the second-longest shot on the board at 20/1. Her past performances show some promise, but she has not yet competed at this level. She has a record of 3 wins from 10 starts, with her last win coming on the all-weather track in an allowance optional claiming race.
Her last two outings have been disappointing, and she faces a monumental task stepping into Grade 1 company. She will be a major longshot, but in horse racing, anything can happen. Drexler has had a successful meet, and he may have a trick up his sleeve for this mare. It is difficult to endorse her for a win bet, but she could be a candidate for the deepest of exotic tickets if you are looking to maximize your payout.
Ready for Shirl is a four-year-old filly with the potential to make some noise at 7/2. Trained by the Hall of Famer Roger L. Attfield and ridden by Javier Castellano, she has a powerful combination of connections. She has been in excellent form at Woodbine, with a win in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes in July and a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes in June.
This filly has a good turf pedigree and has shown an apparent affinity for the Woodbine turf course. Her tactical speed allows her to stay close to the pace, a position that is often advantageous in these types of races. She is a legitimate threat to She Feels Pretty, and her odds make her a more appealing value play. She is a horse who has consistently performed at a high level and is primed for a breakout Grade 1 victory. When you bet on the E.P. Taylor Stakes, you need to consider horses with proven form on the course, and Ready for Shirl fits that bill perfectly.
The E.P. Taylor Stakes odds on She Feels Pretty reflect her dominant form and proven ability, but the small field and presence of other high-caliber runners make this far from a foregone conclusion. Caitlinhergrtness, in particular, could present a value play at her current odds. We recommend studying the past performances closely to identify any potential upsets.
Reviewing the history of the E.P. Taylor Stakes gives us valuable insights into the type of horse that excels in this race. The race's list of past winners is a who's who of turf fillies and mares. In 2024, Full Count Felicia took the prize, giving trainer Kevin Attard his second win in the race following Starship Jubilee in 2019. In 2023, Fev Rover (IRE) took home the victory, trained by the legendary Mark E. Casse. Rougir (FR) won in 2022, trained by Chad Brown, while Mutamakina (GB) was the victor in 2021 for Christophe Clement.
This list of past winners illustrates the race's global appeal, with winners coming from various countries and continents. Trainers like Chad Brown, Christophe Clement, and Kevin Attard have consistently proven their ability to prepare horses for this demanding one-and-a-quarter-mile turf race. The history of this race shows that horses with tactical speed and a strong finishing kick often find themselves in the winner's circle.
The US Racing analysis for the 2025 E.P. Taylor Stakes centers on a few key factors:
Our prediction for the 2025 E.P. Taylor Stakes is She Feels Pretty. Her history at Woodbine and her consistent Grade 1 form make her the horse to beat. However, at 3/5 odds, she offers little value. The best play is to key her in exacta and trifecta wagers, boxing her with Diamond Rain and Ready for Shirl.
Another strong exotic play is to include Caitlinhergrtness, who could be a fantastic value play at 8/1. For those looking for a longshot, Venencia has shown potential and could spice up the exotics at 12/1. A smart bet on the E.P. Taylor Stakes involves a combination of win bets on your top choice and strategic exotic wagers to maximize your potential payout.
The 2025 E.P. Taylor Stakes promises to be a spectacular renewal of a world-class race, bringing together some of the best fillies and mares on the globe. The move to King's Plate Day has elevated this event to new heights, ensuring an electric atmosphere and high-stakes drama.
Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a newcomer to the sport, this race provides an incredible opportunity to get in on the action. We have given you all the tools you need—the schedule, the weather, the whole field, and our expert analysis.
Now, it's up to you to place your winning wagers and enjoy a full day of thrilling horse racing. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the excitement and turn a great day of racing into a profitable one.
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.
