E.P. Taylor Stakes 2013 Contenders at Woodbine

Las Vegas, NV - Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario will play host to the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes this Sunday, October 27. A nice purse of $500,000 will be in the line for fillies and mares three years old and upward willing to go 1 1/4 miles on Woodbine's turf track.

The E.P. Taylor Stakes has drawn a strong field of 10 females to go in race 8 on Woodbine's Sunday schedule. Post time is 4:38 PM. Let's take a glance into the past performances of all 10 entries for this Grade 1 stakes.

2013 E.P. Taylor Stakes Race Favorite Entries

Irish Mission - Canada's top 3-year-old filly last year hasn't looked great this year for trainer Mark Frostad. Last time out was an OK fourth in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer after a fifth in the Grade 2 Sky Classic and an Allowance score here July 24. She had some success earlier this year - a third in the Grade 3 Orchid at Gulfstream and a second in the Grade 2 Nassau on this track and she did win the Breeders' Stakes in Canada last year among her three victories in 2012 - so we know that she can run with the best. She will face females again after finding it tough sledding against males. She is the likely favorite Sunday although she is also entered in the $1 million Pattison Canadian International on the Sunday program at Woodbine.

Minakshi - had a win and a second place finish in her native France before shipping to North America. In her five starts in the North America she has looked good - second in the minor Owsley Stakes May 1, a very respectable third after setting the pace in the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Belmont Park May 25, fourth in the Grade 2 New York Stakes, an OK third in the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park July 28 and a true breakthrough performance last time out - a win in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine September 15. Minakshi is peaking right now and has had success on this track - she should be in the mix Sunday.

E.P. Taylor Stakes 2013 | Remaining Contenders

Colonial Flag - Michael Matz trainee had a career best effort last August - a win in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes and took another five starts to find the winner's circle again - August 18 in the minor Rosenna Stakes at Delaware Park. Last time out was a good second behind Minakshi in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine September 15. She also finished an OK third in June in the Grade 3 Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs in her first start this year but followed that with a disappointing sixth in the Grade 3 Modesty Handicap at Arlington Park July 13. She has been a tad inconsistent but when racing well is capable of winning any race.

Tannery - made her North American debut in the Grade 1 Garden City Stakes at Belmont Park last September 15 and finished a very respectable third. She followed that with a distant eighth in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland October 13 and ended 2012 with a fourth in the Grade 3 Long Island Handicap in November. She has raced five times in 2013 - a fourth in the minor Owsley Stakes May 1 but followed that with her best career performance - a win in the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Belmont Park May 25. Last time out was a good second behind Laughing in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park September 28 after an OK fourth against males in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer and a colossal letdown - an eighth in the Grade 2 New York Stakes June 29. She has participated in some huge races in the past and has fared well.

Moment of Majesty - finished seventh in this race last year and ended 2012 with a pair of fourths in a couple of stakes on this track and started 2013 with a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming May 2. Last time out was her best result in some time however - a third behind Minakshi and Colonial Flag in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes at Woodbine September 16 after another third in the minor Belle Mahone Stakes here August 25 and an ugly eighth in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes July 7. She hasn't tasted victory since August 2012 but has finished third in three of her last four races overall.

E.P. Taylor Stakes betting at Woodbine with OffTrackBetting.com

No Explaining - Roger Attfield trained mare had an Allowance Optional Claiming score here August 3 after a good third behind Solid Appeal in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes on this track July 7 and a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming in June. Last time out she fell back to earth a little bit - a sixth in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes September 15. Her best result came in May of 2011 - a win in the Grade 3 Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico.

Moment In Time - Irish bred filly makes her North American debut Sunday and steps up in competition as well. She placed in her first four starts this year including two wins but has struggled a tad lately. Last time out was a sixth August 22 at York after tenths August 3 at Goodwood.

Fitful Skies - Irish bred filly races in North America for the first time Sunday off a nice win in the group 1 Grosser Preis von German Tote Herbst Stutenpreis at Hannover September 29 after a second in the group 3 T. von Zastrow Baden Racing Stutenpreis at Baden Baden August 31. She has four wins and four seconds in 10 career starts and has three wins and three seconds in seven starts this year.

Nancy O - has six career starts with her first win finally coming last time out in her only start of 2013 - a MSW on this track October 12. She finished in a third at the 2012 Grade 2 Natalma and a fourth in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park October 6 and ended her 2012 campaign with a ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Samba Brazil - German bred filly makes her North American debut Sunday having placed in just one of six starts this year. It was a good one though - a win in the group 3 Bayerische Hausbau-Werte, die bleiben-Rennen - Grosse Europa Meile at Munchen September 15. She has four wins and three thirds in 16 career starts.