[Naval Chase Ahead: Natalma Stakes Favourite Eyes Break for Breeders’ Cup Juveniles]
The $500,000 Natalma Stakes (G1) serves as Woodbine’s premier early-season test for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on Woodbine’s inner turf. This race functions as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win, and You’re In” opportunity, targeting the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland on October 20.
History and Past Winners
The race was first instituted in 1965, named in honor of Natalma—the dam of Northern Dancer—and has been run as a Grade 1 event since 2016. Hall of Famer Mark Casse holds the trainer record with eight wins and has entered five entries on Saturday.
Notable winners include Dance Smartly, Catch a Glimpse, La Pelosa, Wild Beauty, Last Call, She Feels Pretty, One More Time, and last year’s Corsia Veloce.
Natalma Stakes Odds: Local Talent Dominates 11-Horse Field
Lamirada (5-2), an Army Mule filly, steps onto turf for her inaugural appearance after winning her maiden by 11¾ lengths at 6¼ furlongs on debut a month ago. Trainer Josie Carroll and jockey Fraser Aebly—who teamed to claim last year’s Natalma with Corsia Veloce—give this filly a favorable outlook despite her first start on turf and first mile quest. Her performance at the previous race suggested a capable filly who could sit off the pace before exhibiting explosive speed.
Voyager (4-1), daughter of Justify, broke her maiden last out at Saratoga at 8¼ furlongs on turf following two second-place finishes in her initial starts. She stands as Casse’s most probable victory candidate, projected to race from just off the pace or mid-pack rather than seeking the lead, and possesses the stamina to navigate the modest reduction in distance. She benefits from handling seasoned veteran Javier Castellano on this venture.
Embouteillage (5-1) originates from Valeur de Chantier through Worthheimer & Frère, being the half-sister to Kentucky Derby winner Country House.
Embouteillage secured her sole start—a 5½-furlong turf maiden at Saratoga on August 5—after rallying from mid-pack to claim victory by 1¼ lengths at 15-1.
“We were satisfied with her early showing,” said Motion, who earned the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with Sharing. “A surprise is common with 2-year-olds, but we held high expectations based on how well she ran.”
“Let down to my preparation,” noted Motion regarding her training status at Fair Hill. “The question remains whether she can adjust to a one-turn mile, though if successful, her pedigree combined with a powerful kick places her among top contenders under Hall of Fame rider John Velázquez.”
“Concern exists that young two-year-olds may prove eager too quickly over extended distances, yet she’s performing admirably and hopefully delivering a dominant race this weekend.”
Motion has maintained consistent work with her through the Maryland season. The primary uncertainty now centers on her adaptability to woodbine’s extended mileage, though a successful transition would elevate her status as a serious contender.
De la Renta (6-1) bears the name of Oscar Performance, the 2018 Woodbine Mile winner, and is out of the Triple J mare Zza Zza Zoom. Unbeaten across two starts, she captured her maiden via gate-to-wire on July 19 at tapeta, then confirmed her form by defeating males in the $150,000 Soaring Free Stakes at 6¼ furlongs on August 15 despite limited prior experience. Trainer Kevin Attard has consistently highlighted Natalma as the ultimate developmental project. She demonstrates a tactical temperament suited to sitting near the front and executes well under Umberto Rispoli.
Runaway Bride (8-1), belonging to Jason Werth’s Icon Racing, descends from Charlatan out of Bayern mare American Model. After graduating on debut at Saratoga on July 24 via slow acceleration in a 5½-furlong turf maiden, she rallied strongly to win by three-quarters of a length at 13-1. Trained by Whit Beckman, her dam serves as a half-sibling to multiple Grade 1 winners including American Gal. As a strategic closer requiring substantial pace and a decisive stretch run, she pairs well with Edgard Zayas assuming Tyler Gaffalione took the lead initially and encountered traffic.
“Our true assessment came once we witnessed her actual race dynamics,” explained Werth. “In the final turn, after trailing Gaffalione, she found traction and displayed considerable stride power and closing velocity.”
Royal Foxtrot (10-1) traces lineage through Olympiad to Duke Dancer, to Congrats’ offspring. The Ontario-bred filly fetched $150,000 at Keeneland in September, placing second in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes on August 15 and earning her first black-type finish.
“Drawn most widely, she is a mid-pack or wider-closing performer who has demonstrated competence on Woodbine turf,” noted trainer Emma-Jayne Wilson, who also claimed Lady Speightspeare in 2020.
Cattrall (12-1) represents Attard’s second entry and marks a career milestone after debuting a couple weeks earlier at 6¼ furlongs on grass. Positioned in the press role as a mid-pack chaser, she faces additional development following only brief prior competition. Pietro Moran steers her out of pursuit.
Bounce Back (15-1), a make-to-market maiden featuring a previous runner-up finish at 6½ furlongs on turf, aligns with Casse’s development philosophy. This hard-spun filly tends to emerge from mid-pack positions or further back in early phases and requires disciplined pacing before facing her eventual opposition. Junior Alvarado mounts this effort.
Nicki Knows Best (20-1), another member of Casse’s regular lineup, confronts competitors for the first time after breaking her maiden briefly earlier this week at first asking over a mile and 70 yards. Descended from Mendelssohn, she is projected as a mid-pack or stalking performer capable of recovering ground to find a winning place. The Hall of Famer approaches this challenge with distinctive aggression.
Ez Miss Sassy (20-1) occupies slot number four in the lineup—a make-up effort lacking previous victories within four starts. Classified as a mid-pack or closing contender needing improved stretch-kick timing at this distance, Romi Maragh recognizes Woodbine turf familiarity but must advance strategically against elite competition.
Mo Cookie (20-1) recorded her tournament debut at Woodbine and subsequently remained unplaced in subsequent starts at 6½ furlongs on turf. Offspring of Modernist, this local competitor displays competent early tempo but requires extended distance mastery to overcome current competitors.
The Picks: 1 Lamirada, 2 Voyager, 3 Embouteillage
The Field for the $500,000 Natalma Stakes (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mo Cookie | Kendrick Carmouche | Mike De Paulo | 20-12 |
| Voyager | Javier Castellano | Mark E. Casse | 4-15 |
| Embouteillage | John Velázquez | H. Graham Motion | 5-18 |
| Runaway Bride | Edgard Zayas | D. Whitbert Beckman | 8-19 |
| Lamirada | Fraser Aebly | Josie Carroll | 5-27 |
| Embouteillage | John Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | 15-16 |
| Runaway Bride | Edgard Zayas | D. Whitbert Beckman | 8-19 |
| Lamirada | Fraser Aebly | Josie Carroll | 5-27 |
| Embouteillage | John Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | 15-16 |
| Runaway Bride | Edgard Zayas | D. Whitbert Beckman | 8-19 |
| Lamirada | Fraser Aebly | Josie Carroll | 5-27 |