TORONTO, November 8, 2025 – Dresden Row, under Ryan Munger, powered to the lead midway down the lane to win Saturday’s $150,000 HPIbet Autumn Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. Sent on his way at 6-1 in the field of 11, the 4-year-old chestnut colt broke alertly and settled into third going into the first turn as Paramount Prince led the way, followed by Funtastic Again. Paramount Prince was a length clear of Funtastic Again through a lively opening quarter in :23.35 in the 1 1/8-mile main track event for 3-year-olds and up, as Munger kept multiple graded stakes winner Dresden Row just off the rail in third. In front by two lengths after a half in :47.13, Paramount Prince was soon confronted by Funtastic Again and 98-1 Lost Ark strides before turning for home, while Dresden Row was camped in fourth behind the leaders. Dresden Row, now four wide, forged to the front with 250 yards to the finish line. Jokestar arrived on the scene and came calling, while Cameo Performance, skimming the rail, looked to reel in the leader with time running out. At the wire, Dresden Row, Canada’s champion 3-year-old male, was a 1 3/4-length winner. Jokestar was second, a head in front of Cameo Performance. Swift Delivery was fourth. Map’s a Breeze lost rider Fraser Aebly at the start – both horse and rider are okay. Borealis Trail and Wyoming Bill were scratched. The final time was 1:50.07. Dresden Row and jockey Ryan Munger winning the HPIbet Autumn Stakes on November 8, 2025 (Michael Burns Photo) “For once this year, thank goodness, the race worked out perfect,” said Munger. “The pace was genuine in front, and there were two nice horses that will pull me through quite a long way up. And yeah, he relaxed quite nicely in behind them. And you know, when he leveled out in the stretch, he hit the front, his ears were still up, and I was like, ‘He’s back.’ “Barring his last run (third, 12 lengths behind winner Paramount Prince at 1 1/16 miles over the main track on October 19), he’s been right there. The last run caught me a bit dumbfounded. But today, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he came back. He did it, and I’m just so grateful for that.” “I couldn’t make an excuse for him (in his last race),” said Lorne Richards, who trains for Keith Johns’ True North Stable and Bloom Racing Stable (Jeffrey Bloom). “I just don’t know what happened. Just didn’t fire, you know. We had to scratch earlier in the year. He got awfully sick and he came back and ran a big race off being sick. “For the last week, I’ve been trying to find a reason not to run him, but I just couldn’t see any reason not to. It worked out for the best.” After finishing second in his career bow, a six-furlong test over the E.P. Taylor turf in October 2023, and then third, a head back of the winner in a 6 ½-furlong race over the main track two weeks later, Dresden Row recorded his milestone first win via a 1 ¼-length score at 1 1/16 miles over the same surface on November 5. He closed out his rookie campaign with another strong outing, a 3 ¼-length triumph at 6 ½ furlongs over the main track on December 7. Dresden Row’s first stakes success came in the Durham Cup on September 28, 2024. One race later, he took the Ontario Derby (G3). Bred in Kentucky by TCR Ranch, Dresden Row (Hip #315) was a $70,000 purchase at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. Now 6-5-4 from 15 starts, the son of Lord Nelson out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Elle Special paid $15.40 for the Autumn win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
