Sultana successfully defended her Maple Leaf Stakes title at Woodbine on Saturday, November 7, 2026, overcoming early leader Lupa (IRE) to secure a one-length victory in the $175,000 Grade 3 contest. The five-year-old mare delivered another strong performance under Rafael Hernandez, completing the 1¼-mile race in 2:05.33.
Trained by Kevin Attard, Sultana returned to the race after winning the 2025 edition by a head. Reunited with Hernandez, she broke well from post position two in a field of seven fillies and mares aged three and older.
Lupa (IRE), ridden by Fraser Aebly, established an early advantage and opened a 4½-length lead through the opening quarter-mile in :23.33. Hurricane Clair settled in second, followed by Fortyfiveseventy, while Dixie Law occupied fourth position. Scat Girl, Sultana and Venencia (FR) completed the field.
Lupa maintained her advantage through the half-mile mark in :47.72 and six furlongs in 1:13.05. However, the chasing runners gradually closed the gap as the field approached the final turn.
Sultana began her challenge after advancing into fifth position, making a wide move inside the three-eighths pole. She soon joined Lupa at the head of the field as the mile was completed in 1:38.75.
Lupa continued to fight along the inside rail, but Sultana found another gear in the closing stages. Hernandez guided her past the leader inside the final 70 yards, and the mare secured victory by one measured length.
Fortyfiveseventy finished second after a late rally, while Lupa (IRE) held on for third. Hurricane Clair completed the first four.
Maple Leaf Stakes Victory Strengthened Sultana’s Record
Bred in Kentucky by Michael J. Snyder and Always Dreaming Syndicate, Sultana was owned by a partnership that included Lou Donato, Theodore Manziaris, Paul Borrelli and Lanni Bloodstock.
Her 2026 campaign began with a victory in the Grade 3 Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park in late March. She subsequently returned to Woodbine, where she finished third in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes, fourth against male opposition in the Niagara Stakes and sixth in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes.
The Maple Leaf Stakes victory improved Sultana’s career record to five wins, one second-place finish and two third-place finishes from 10 starts. She also maintained her unbeaten record over 10 furlongs on Woodbine’s main track.
Attard indicated that the mare remained in good health and that the connections planned to continue her racing career in 2027. A break followed by a winter campaign in Florida was identified as the likely next step.
Sultana retained her Maple Leaf Stakes crown at Woodbine with a one-length victory over Fortyfiveseventy. Rafael Hernandez partnered the Kevin Attard-trained mare to her second consecutive success in the Grade 3 contest, completing the race in 2:05.33.
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