Race: Dominion Day Stakes (GIII)

Date: June 27, 2026

Track: Woodbine

Distance: 1 1/8 miles (Dirt)

Conditions: 4yo & up, 122 lbs base weight

Purse: $150,000

1. Classic Look

Lifetime record: 31 starts – 7 wins, 8 seconds, 2 thirds.

2026 record: 4 starts – 1 win.

Best 2026 figure: 102 (31Jan26‑6SA).

Most recent race:

15May26, LRL, G3 Pimlico Special: 4th of 8, final time 1:53.3.

Recent workouts:

14Jun26 WO – 1 mile in 1:36.1, 1/5.

8Jun26 MTH – 6f in 1:10, 1/15.

A solid five year old that goes well at this trip, he is one of those that may be overlooked due to the quality of the competition but off the inside draw he must have a chance of getting involved in the finish.

2. Fried Chicken

Lifetime record: 25 starts – 6 wins, 5 seconds, 4 thirds.

2026 record: 4 starts – 0 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third.

Best 2026 figure: 101 (25May26‑2SA).

Most recent race:

25May26, SA, G2 Gold Cup: 3rd of 8, final time 2:00.1.

Recent workouts:

17Jun26 WO – 6f in 1:10.1, 1/8.

7Jun26 CD – 3f in :35.1, 1/1.

A six year old who has shown glimpses of brilliance over his career but has always struggled to run consistently at the top level. I really liked his effort in the BC Classic last year and though he hasn’t won this year had recorded three great placings in his last three starts. The perfect draw means that if he is on top of his game he will certainly be a big contender.

3. Booze Cruise

Lifetime record: 12 starts – 3 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds.

2026 record: 4 starts – 1 win, 1 second, 1 third.

Best 2026 figure: 98 (28Feb26‑14GP).

Most recent race:

11Apr26, KEE, OC100/N4X: 3rd of 6, final time 2:00.1.

Recent workouts:

14Jun26 CD – 7f in 1:22.4, 1/2.

21May26 CD – 6f in 1:10.1, 1/136.

Fairly lightly raced he remains running for Team 7 after avoiding the stable purge. Most of his form is at the overnight level and whilst he has been solid there is nothing there that convinces me he can beat the best of these.

4. Beach Moon

Lifetime record: 36 starts – 8 wins, 5 seconds, 5 thirds.

2026 record: 2 starts – 1 win, 1 second.

Best 2026 figure: 98 (14Feb26‑15LRL).

Most recent race:

14Feb26, LRL, Post Time Stakes: 2nd of 12, final time 1:47.3.

Recent workouts:

15Jun26 WO – 5f in :57.3, 1/7.

7Jun26 WO – 1 mile in 1:36, 1/3.

Beaten in a free track race last time but as we all know that means nothing here at HRP and his works at least suggest he could be a dark horse in this race. A six year old entire a win would be a surprise considering his recent efforts but those work times scream an out sider waiting to cause a shock.

5. Mr Monarch

Lifetime record: 18 starts – 9 wins, 2 seconds, 4 thirds.

2026 record: 4 starts – 2 wins, 1 second.

Best 2026 figure: 100 (24May26‑1WO).

Most recent race:

24May26, WO, OC40/N3X: 1st of 6, final time 1:21.1.

Recent workouts:

14Jun26 WO – 5f in :57.4, 1/12.

30May26 WO – 5f in :57.2, 1/5.

Reecently claimed this will be seen as a hopeful entry but the gelding won nicely on this track last time and is working well enough to suggest on his best day he can get involved.

6. Hurricane Ridge

Lifetime record: 26 starts – 6 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds.

2026 record: 5 starts – 1 win, 1 second, 2 thirds.

Best 2026 figure: 101 (31Jan26‑6SA).

Most recent race:

30May26, CD, G3 Blame: 3rd of 5, final time 1:46.4.

Recent workouts:

13Jun26 PRX – 1 mile in 1:36.2, 2/4.

19Apr26 PRX – 7f in 1:22.3, 1/2.

Built nicely this year to a good win at ungraded level over this trip but has been a bit found wanting in two grade three’s after that so may be up against it today. An on pace type he will need some race engine help to get near the front at an even pace as that seems his best chance.

7. Cheap Ways

Lifetime record: 41 starts – 15 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds.

2026 record: 5 starts – 4 wins.

Best 2026 figure: 102 (17Jan26‑8FG).

Most recent race:

26May26, FP, Allowance: 1st of 8, final time 1:34.2.

Recent workouts:

4Jun26 SA – 5f in :57.3, 1/143.

2May26 SA – 6f in 1:09.4, 1/59.

A very good seven year old and a grade three winner this year, you have to wonder why he was winning at the fair level last time considering his works are still sharp and his form very good but the trainer may have been spooked by his poor effort in the Mineshaft in February. At his best he is certainly a win contender.

8. Individuation

Lifetime record: 41 starts – 13 wins, 9 seconds, 5 thirds.

2026 record: 5 starts – 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third.

Best 2026 figure: 100 (15May26‑2LRL).

Most recent race:

15May26, LRL, G3 Pimlico Special: 3rd of 8, final time 1:53.3.

Recent workouts:

20Jun26 AQU – 6f in 1:10, 1/33.

2Jun26 PRX – 1 mile in 1:36, 1/11.

Undoubtedly in his prime this one would be an outstanding selection in this race and though he may not be as good as he was he will still be plenty of peoples choice for winner. The fact that he was a very close second in a grade one in March and his works are as good if not better than anything I would be inclined to agree. Whatever happens today it has been a pleasure covering this horses career and hopefully I can write about him winning yet another stakes race.

9. Brooklyn Bash

Lifetime record: 21 starts – 4 wins, 2 seconds, 7 thirds.

2026 record: 4 starts – 0 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds.

Best 2026 figure: 99 (23May26‑1SA).

Most recent race:

23May26, SA, Thor’s Echo: 3rd of 6, final time 1:08.3.

Recent workouts:

22Jun26 WO – 6f in 1:10.1, 1/7.

18Jun26 WO – 7f in 1:23, 1/1.

This is a tough grade three and whilst he can be competitive at this level he may find a few too good for him today. He was good at three and good three’s can struggle at times at four so whatever he does today I think he may be better as a five year old.

10. Finding Nemo

Lifetime record: 40 starts – 10 wins, 10 seconds, 1 third.

2026 record: 3 starts – 1 win, 1 second.

Best 2026 figure: 99 (25Apr26‑16FON).

Most recent race:

25Apr26, FON, Stakes: 2nd of 9, final time 1:41.1.

Recent workouts:

23Jun26 WO – 6f in 1:11.2, 2/7.

11Jun26 CD – 4f in :46.3, 2/2.

The seven year old does seem to be finding some form late in his career but it would be a shock to see him overcoming a wide draw and some very good stakes racers and winning today.

11. Kara France

Lifetime record: 15 starts – 5 wins, 2 seconds.

2026 record: 3 starts – 2 wins.

Best 2026 figure: 99 (7Mar26‑2TP).

Most recent race:

16May26, LRL, G3 Maryland Sprint: 6th of 6, final time 1:08.2.

Recent workouts:

12Jun26 PRX – 6f in 1:10.4, 9/57.

2Apr26 PRX – 4f in :46.3, 6/207.

He can be a difficult one to catch on the right day but at his best would be better than a fair few of these. Probably better known as a sprinter miler these days he may find something in the locker over the nine furlongs today and I wouldn’t be writing him off.

12. Quiet Return

Lifetime record: 35 starts – 9 wins, 8 seconds, 6 thirds.

2026 record: 4 starts – 0 wins.

Best 2026 figure: 99 (24Jan26‑13GP).

Most recent race:

25May26, SA, G2 Gold Cup: 8th of 8, final time 2:00.1.

Recent workouts:

22Jun26 PRX – 1 mile in 1:36.4, 1/11.

17Jun26 PRX – 6f in 1:10.4, 5/34.

I have seen this one rekindle his career from the flames before but on his last two efforts he may find a swan song just too tough for his old legs. He has had a long and highly distinguished career and whilst I hope for an unexpected win here my head says leave him alone.

SUMMARY

Plenty here that have been there done that and no more so than Individuation. Outside of the obvious I think if Friend Chicken gets a leg up from the race engine and the pace is hot he certainly could weave through late and win but a good case can be made for five or six of these so I will just have to go for those two in a boxed exacta.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES