Laughing returns to Woodbine for the first time since last fall's E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT) as the likely favorite in the $300,000 Canadian Stakes (Can-IIT) on the turf Sept. 16.
The Irish-bred filly is part of a well-matched field of nine older fillies and mares in the 1 1/8-mile turf event, a major prep for the E.P. Taylor, which is Oct. 14. The Canadian Stakes is part of a big Sunday card at Woodbine headlined by the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Can-IT). The Canadian is race 5 with a scheduled post time of 3:05 p.m. EDT.
Richard Santulli's Laughing comes into the race off a one-length tally as the 6-5 favorite in the Matchmaker Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Monmouth Park July 29 at the Canadian distance. Trained by Alan Goldberg, the 4-year-old daughter of Dansili has won two of four starts in North America since her transfer. She finished seventh in last year's 10-furlong E.P. Taylor at 13-1 odds, gradually weakening after showing early speed on a yielding course.