Singspiel Stakes – (Grade lll)

Purse $175.00 – For Three Year Olds And Upward

1 3/8 Miles – Turf

Woodbine – September 5, 2026

With all eyes on Del Mar and Kentucky Downs stakes races this Saturday, the 18th running of the Singspiel Stakes highlights older turf routers looking to add a graded win to their résumés. This race debuted at 1 1/2 miles on the turf before being shortened to its current distance of 1 3/8 miles starting in 2024. Mb Stables sits atop the all-time owner standings with three victories, while The Sidley Stud follows closely behind with two. Both send out a pair of runners this year, so will The Sidley Stud pull even or will Mb Stables extend his lead? The rest of the field will be looking to spoil the party and write a new name into Singspiel history. Killer Instinct set the stakes record two years ago, completing the 1 3/8 miles in 2:11.15 before finishing second in the Breeders Cup Turf. With several graded stakes winners entered this year, it’s shaping up to be another extremely competitive renewal. Let’s take a closer look at all the horses and see which runners stand out from the rest!

1. Giacomo – (First Flight Stable, S. Chernetz) Homebred gelding for First Flight Stable who doesn’t have a ton of experience over the longer distances. Giacomo cleared his N2X condition at Aqueduct in March before finishing third in the Louisville (G3) and fourth in the Manhattan (G1). He was unable to make much of an impact last time out when sixth in the United Nations (G2), which was contested over this same 1 3/8-mile distance. This will be his fourth consecutive start in graded company, though the move from a Grade Two to a Grade Three should offer some relief. The main thing is that Giacomo will finally run on firm ground on Saturday. His past three starts were on off-tracks.

2. Fanatical Empire – (Bigchief Stables, W T. Buick) Privately purchased from Woogaloo for $375.00 last February, Fanatical Empire has proven to be a great addition to the barn. He captured the Fort Marcy (G1) in his third start for his new connections before pulling off a 61-1 upset in the Whittingham (G2) this May. The son of Boardwalk Empire followed that effort with a fifth-place finish last time out in the Manhattan (G1), where he was beaten four lengths on soft ground. He has already raced twice over this 1 3/8-mile distance, including a fourth in last year’s United Nations (G2). Fanatical Empire’s seven turf victories and more than $3,000 in earnings make him one of the more accomplished runners in the field.

3. Cadillac Jack – (Maletto, S. Jones) Maletto picked up this seven-year-old veteran for just $21.01 at auction last September. Cadillac Jack has not found the winner’s circle since changing hands, though he has finished second or third in nine of his eleven starts for the barn. He stepped up into stakes company last time out in the Niagara Stakes at Woodbine and rallied from the back of the field to finish second over 1 1/4 miles. The added furlong should complement this Pennsylvania-bred’s late-running style, but this will be a significant class test after spending most of his career at the claiming and allowance levels. His consistency gives him a chance to pick up another piece of the purse.

4. Jerry West – (Invicta Group Llc, D Z. Gaskin) An interesting six-year-old who was bought privately for $10.00 last month and is making his first start for the new barn. Jerry West has been away since finishing second in a one-mile open allowance back in March, while his other two outings this year produced a runner-up finish in the Bradley Stakes and a fifth in another allowance at Santa Anita. He held his own against graded company last season, placing third in both the River City Handicap (G3) & American Stakes (G3). This gelding has made 38 of his 39 career starts on the grass. However, the lengthy layoff and major stretch-out from one mile to 1 3/8 miles leave him with a lot of questions to answer.

5. Central Hawkes Bay – (Czech Out Farms, Su. Singh) Connections claimed Central Hawkes Bay for $25.00 after he romped in a six-length victory over this same 1 3/8-mile distance at Saratoga last summer. He immediately rewarded the barn by capturing an allowance at Churchill Downs and later captured the Turf Classic at Tampa Bay Downs in March. The son of Hautope has struggled in three graded attempts this season, including an 11th-place finish in the Bowling Green (G2) over this exact trip. He returned to allowance company last time out and finished a close second going 1 1/2 miles on soft ground at Saratoga. The distance is clearly within his range, but will need a career-best to win.

6. Whipped – (The Sidley Stud, E J. Wilson) First of two entrants for The Sidley Stud, Whipped returns after finishing second as the favorite in last year’s Singspiel. He came back three weeks later to capture the Henry Championship (G2) before adding another Grade Two victory in the Diarmida over this same 1 3/8-mile distance in February. The six-year-old has gone winless in four starts since, though he placed third in the Elkhorn (G2) and was beaten three lengths when sixth in the Bowling Green (G2) last time out. Whipped’s late-running style and proven ability at the distance make him a strong fit for this race. If there is a fast early pace, watch out for this guy flying down the stretch late.

7. Grand Opening – (Caseys Llc, C. Jordan) The 2024 HRP Turf Male of the Year will make his first start for Caseys Llc after being purchased privately from Riggins Racing for $20.00 a few weeks ago. Grand Opening earned that award by winning five graded stakes in 2024, highlighted by Grade One triumphs in the Forester Turf Classic, Arlington Million and Breeders Cup Turf. He remained among the division’s elite last year by adding two more Grade One victories in the Pegasus World Cup Turf and another Arlington Million. This Ontario-bred began 2026 by capturing the Tampa Stakes (G3) before winning two allowances and finishing second at Woodbine in May. Grand Opening will be adding Lasix for this start. With $7,400 in lifetime earnings, come and catch him.

8. Suave – (Mb Stables, D. Bynoe) One of the two runners for Mb Stables, who brought one of his former homebreds back into the barn by claiming him from Mo Mentum Farm for $30.00 in June. Suave arrives on a two-race winning streak after scoring by three lengths over 1 1/2 miles in May and prevailing by a nose going one mile last time out. This six-year-old also owns a five-length victory over this exact distance, though that came against $10.00 claimers last November. He has built a solid turf record with seven wins and six runner-up finishes from 21 starts. The distance should not be an issue, but the jump from the claiming ranks directly into a Grade Three will require a career-best effort.

9. Dirtiest Sin – (The Sidley Stud, S. Civaci) The second runner for The Sidley Stud, who claimed Dirtiest Sin from Xcel Racing for only $6.00 last September. The son of Sinissippi Rubicon has flourished since joining the new barn, winning five of his eight starts for his new connections. He has won four times this year, including a starter allowance over this exact distance as the favorite and the Monmouth Stakes two starts back. This gelding’s lone graded attempt resulted in an eighth-place finish in the San Luis Rey (G3). Dirtiest Sin enters the Singspiel Stakes on a two-race winning streak and gives The Sidley Stud a good chance to draw even atop the owner standings. A step up will still be needed.

10. Canyon Clouds – (Whitewater Stables, D. Fukumoto) Whitewater Stables claimed Canyon Clouds for $25.00 last May and has since transitioned him from the dirt to the grass. The four-year-old son of Declassified has finished third in all three starts this year, with those efforts coming in N1X allowances ranging from five furlongs to one mile. He still remains eligible for that condition and owns just one victory from eleven career starts, which came in October 2024. This Florida-bred will now stretch out from 5 1/2 furlongs to 1 3/8 miles while making his graded stakes debut. Canyon Clouds has shown some ability on the turf, but this is easily the most ambitious assignment of his career.

11. Good Memories – (Mb Stables, D. Moran) The second runner for Mb Stables is homebred Good Memories, who has already enjoyed a highly accomplished career on both surfaces. He made headlines on the dirt by capturing the 2024 Belmont Stakes before finishing third in that year’s Breeders Cup Classic. This son of Kashatreya switched to the turf last November and pulled off a 94-1 upset in the River City Handicap (G3), then added the Canadian Turf (G3) this February. He enters off a runner-up finish in the Green River Island after setting the pace for much of the 1 1/16-miles. This will be Good Memories’ longest turf assignment, though his Belmont victory at 1 1/4 miles suggests the added distance could be well within reach.

– AJM

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES