Mrs D produced a determined late finish to defeat unbeaten favourite Go for Launch in the Mrs D Algonquin Stakes, securing her first graded stakes success in the Grade 3 contest at Woodbine on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The Steven Chircop-trained filly overcame a slow start before closing strongly to prevail by half a length in the five-furlong inner turf sprint for two-year-olds.
Mrs D broke last of the six runners under regular rider Jose Campos, despite having generally raced prominently in her previous starts. Allura and Excessif disputed the early pace, with Allura showing the way through the opening quarter mile in 22.11 seconds on a course listed as Good. Lou’s Room raced third along the rail, while Go for Launch settled fourth and Speaker’s Speech held fifth. Mrs D remained at the rear in sixth.
The complexion of the race changed around the turn when Go for Launch began making steady progress under Pietro Moran. The unbeaten filly, who had previously captured the Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga, moved into contention through the four path and reached the front inside the eighth pole after the field completed the half mile in 45.64 seconds.
Mrs D had taken a wider route around the turn, but Campos kept her balanced and continued to build momentum. The filly moved up alongside Go for Launch in the final furlong before Campos angled her towards the inside. Mrs D then produced her strongest strides in the closing yards and edged past Go for Launch to secure the victory in 57.74 seconds.
Speaker’s Speech finished third, while Allura followed in fourth. Lou’s Room and Excessif completed the order of finish. The official result confirmed Mrs D as the winner, with Go for Launch second and Speaker’s Speech third.
Mrs D Algonquin Stakes Victory Marked First Graded Success
The Mrs D Algonquin Stakes victory represented an important step forward for the filly, who had already shown consistent form through her first three appearances. She had won on debut over five furlongs on Woodbine’s main track on May 31 before finishing second in the My Dear Stakes. She then finished third in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes on her first start over turf.
Chircop had prepared Mrs D for the Woodbine feature with a sharp three-furlong workout on September 26, when she recorded 34.20 seconds over the main track. Her performance in the Grade 3 contest subsequently delivered her first stakes victory at the graded level.
The win also improved Mrs D’s career record to two victories, one second-place finish and one third from four starts. The filly was bred in Kentucky by Dixiana Farms LLC and was owned by JDLP Holdings Inc. She was by Bolt d’Oro out of True Elegance, a mare by Distorted Humor.
Go for Launch entered the contest unbeaten after victories at Woodbine and Saratoga, including the Bolton Landing Stakes in August. Her second-place finish marked her first defeat in three career starts.
The result also created an interesting family connection between the two trainers. Chircop trained Mrs D, while Go for Launch was prepared by his cousin Kevin Attard. The Grade 3 Algonquin Stakes therefore provided a notable training rivalry within the Attard-Chircop family, with Chircop emerging on top on the day.
Mrs D overcame a tardy start and a strong challenge from Go for Launch to capture the Mrs D Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine in 57.74 seconds, securing her first Grade 3 victory for trainer Steven Chircop and jockey Jose Campos.
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