Trainer Dale Desruisseaux could barely wipe the smile from his face as he wrapped an arm around Piper’s Gift in the winner’s circle, the filly still full of bounce after her dazzling victory in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes. Rafael Hernandez, aboard yet again, lifted his whip skyward in quiet celebration — no theatrics, just pride — as a packed apron applauded the homebred who continues to grow stronger with every run.
The $250,000 feature, a major step toward next year’s Woodbine Oaks, unfolded with early rhythm courtesy of Bells of Paradise, who controlled the fractions through 24.63 and 49.95 while Piper’s Gift watched from third, unhurried and cleverly tucked along the rail. Hernandez waited, hands still, until the turn beckoned. Once angled out, Piper’s Gift glided forward with intent, her stride lengthening, her rivals fading into the blur behind her.
By mid-stretch she was gone — clear, comfortable, commanding — scoring by 4½ lengths in 1:46.39. Katie’s Grace, recovering gamely after a troubled start, secured second by a neck over outsider Ashlee B, with La Culasse fourth.
Desruisseaux has long believed the filly had gears yet to show. “Once he covered her up, she relaxed — exactly what we were hoping for,” the trainer said. “She can be a little headstrong in the mornings, but we’ve worked hard to settle her. Today, it all came together.”
Chiefswood Stables’ general manager and Hall of Fame rider Robert Landry echoed that sentiment. “She hasn’t put a foot wrong,” he said. “A special filly.”
Piper’s Gift now boasts a record of 3-1-0 from five starts, her résumé including a maiden romp on September 20 and a stakes breakthrough in the Glorious Song. Plans remain fluid, but Landry hinted at a light pause before a spring return — perhaps Keeneland, perhaps Woodbine — but certainly with bigger ambitions ahead.
Kyle MacDonald, her groom, received his share of pats and handshakes — quiet recognition for patient work behind the scenes.
Hernandez’s victory marked his 23rd stakes success of the season, a milestone reflective of control, timing, and trust between rider and filly.
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
Fire and Wine delivers powerful front-running display in Coronation Futurity (focus keyword included once)
Just under an hour later, the Woodbine crowd witnessed a very different kind of triumph — not a stalk-and-strike performance, but a wire-to-wire show of authority. Fire and Wine, bold at the break and brave at the finish, led from the outset to take the $250,000 Coronation Futurity by five emphatic lengths.
The 1⅛-mile contest, often a proving ground for future Canadian classics, belonged entirely to the bay colt. Sent forward by Slade Jones, Canada’s champion apprentice of 2022, Fire and Wine established a two-length early edge through 24.08 and 49.59, stretching that margin as his rivals clustered behind without response. Navy Street, Military Time, and favoured Dixie Law all tried — none closed.
By the top of the lane, Jones barely moved. Fire and Wine simply kept running, cruising home in 1:51.90. Military Time finished second, ahead of Imyourmedicineman, with Dixie Law fourth.
Jones spoke with quiet assurance. “He has a big stride and he never stops trying. I wanted the lead — I made them come to me — and he just kept going.”
Trainer Zeljko Krcmar, celebrating career stakes win No. 5, embraced lifelong friend and owner Paul Ryder as they watched replays over and over, still stunned by the ease of it. The colt arrived off a 13-length maiden success last month, but few expected him to double down like this.
Ryder admitted the surprise. “I didn’t think he’d do it again — but when he opened up, I thought, ‘He just might.’ Then he found more. He’s an amazing horse.”
Bred in Ontario, Fire and Wine began his career with mixed results: sixth on debut, then a run of placings before his breakout win in October. Now two consecutive victories — and a major stakes title — place him firmly among next year’s potential Woodbine stars.
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