TORONTO, September 11, 2025 – Simcoe, trained by Katerina Vassilieva, heads into Saturday’s $150,000 Branded Cities Vigil Stakes (G3) at Woodbine in stakes-winning form. Simcoe, who stormed to the lead early and then powered away down the lane for an authoritative 5 ¾-length score in the $150,000 Bold Venture (G3), at 6 ½ furlongs, on August 16, will face eight rivals in the Vigil, a seven-furlong main track engagement for 3-year-olds and up. “I was a little bit surprised at how easily he drew away from the rest of the field,” said Vassilieva, of the Bold Venture victory, which marked Simcoe’s first added-money win. “One thing that Rafi (jockey, Rafael Hernandez) and I spoke about this time was making it our intention to get the lead because we noticed in his last start before the Bold Venture when he did make it to the lead, he didn’t stop – he fought with the horse who was challenging him, but he didn’t give it up. This time, he made it look so easy.” The final time was a sharp 1:15.42. Simcoe and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning the Bold Venture Stakes on August 16, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “In a couple of his races before that, at Turfway Park, it was the same thing. When he got to the lead and was challenged, he didn’t back down. Whenever we would decide that wherever he breaks out of the gate, just let him stay there, the result wasn’t always what we hoped. He tends to run evenly when he’s stalking. For the Bold Venture, we decided to go for it, and it worked out well.” A homebred (Ontario) for Chiefswood Stables Limited, the 5-year-old gelding, now 6-4-0 ($328,323) from 18 starts, has a record of 4-4-0 over his past eight engagements. “He has this big, beautiful stride,” lauded Vassilieva. “It might have taken his trainer longer than it should have to figure out what he wanted to do. He won at two turns earlier in his career as a 3-year-old. He’s a very big horse and we felt that he wanted a route distance. It’s when we shortened him up to seven-eighths and shorter that he really flourished at those distances.” The son of Uncle Mo out of the Pulpit mare Aurora Lights came into the season looking and feeling like he was at the top of the game. Vassilieva, a multiple graded stakes winner, took notice of it right away. “He came back to Woodbine this season a much more confident horse because he had such a successful time at Turfway Park in the winter. He’s been so consistent ever since. He knows he’s been doing well and he knows he’s the man. He carries himself with a lot of confidence and poise. “He came out of his last race in very good order and he’s looking like he’s sitting on another big effort.” Simcoe breezed four furlongs in :49.00 over the Woodbine main track on September 6 in preparation for the Vigil. “He is a true athlete. He’s very focused and professional when it comes to training and racing. He has a good mind, and a lot of heart.” Jamar Goddard is the groom. Trainer Barb Minshall won three straight editions of the Vigil, two with Kiridashi (1996-97) and the other with Sea Wall (1995). Pink Lloyd won four straight runnings, from 2017-20. First post time is 1:05 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and bet365.com. The wagering menu for the Vigil includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3, (Races 10-11-12), $1 Swinger. Field for Grade 3 $150,000 Vigil Stakes – Race 10 Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Hunt Master – Eswan Flores – Martin Hinckson (cross-entered in the Woodbine Mile) 2 – Simcoe – Rafael Hernandez – Katerina Vassilieva 3 – Twin City – Keveh Nicholls – Stuart Simon 4 – Cruden Bay – Fraser Aebly – Don MacRae 5 – Wicked Django – Slade Jones – Rodney Barrow 6 – Victory Achieved – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse 7 – Horsepower –Sahin Civaci – Joe Orseno 8 – I’m a Gambler (IRE) – Flavien Prat – Kevin Attard Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
