TORONTO, October 14, 2026 – Graded stakes winner Brachetto faces eight rivals in Saturday’s $175,000 Ontario Derby (G3) at Woodbine. Trained by Julia Carey, Brachetto arrives at his fifth consecutive stakes appearance off a valiant runner-up effort in the Prince of Wales Stakes on Sept. 7 at Fort Erie. The son of multiple graded stakes winner Vekoma out of the Include mare Colorino rallied strongly to finish a half-length behind Military Time (who will also contest the Ontario Derby) in the 1 3/16-mile dirt race, the middle jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown series. “It was a great effort,” said Carey. “We were jumping up and down, let me tell you. He was on the toughest part of the track, down along the inside, which was the deepest part, but he dug in and was very brave. I hope he does it again on Saturday. We’re hoping for another big effort from him.” Sporting a record of 2-2-2 from seven starts, Brachetto made his debut last November, finishing second by a nose in a six-furlong sprint on Woodbine’s main track. He finished third next time out at the same distance and on the same surface before returning to action the following May and promptly breaking his maiden, again at six furlongs over the Woodbine main track. Third in the Queenston Stakes on June 7, the bay took the Marine Stakes (G3) on June 27, in his first try at two turns, winning the 1 1/16-mile main track affair courtesy of an energetic rally that landed him a half-length clear at the wire. Brachetto and jockey Ryan Munger winning Marine Stakes on June 27. 2026 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Following an off-the-board finish in The King’s Plate in mid-August, Brachetto headed to Fort Erie for the Prince of Wales. “He’s been doing very well [after the Prince of Wales]. He was a little tired after that one, so that’s why we decided not to go the mile and a half on the turf in the Breeders’ Stakes (final jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, on Sept. 27). We felt it was the right decision in the best interest of the horse, so here we are.” Carey is eager to see what’s in store for Brachetto beyond his 3-year-old campaign. “As a 4-year-old, he will mature into a really nice horse. I don’t think we have gotten to the bottom of him yet. As he gets older, hopefully, he will keep on and be a very good campaigner for us. I think him going a mile to a mile and an eighth will hit him right between the eyes.” The colt was bred in Manitoba by longtime racing participant Dr. Ross A. McKague, who co-owns the colt with his wife, Brenda Lee. “They are over the moon,” said Carey. “They don’t care if he makes one more penny. They are just so pleased with what he has done so far. They have another horse, Torbato, which would be Brachetto’s nephew. Torbato had a very nice debut (fourth, on Sept. 26). He got left a little at the start and then came running. He’s running in two weeks, so it’s very exciting for them to have two nice horses, who look very, very promising.” Gary Sutherland is the groom. Recent works: Brachetto’s past two works have come at five furlongs over the main track. On Oct. 4, he covered the distance in 1:01.60. On Oct. 10, he completed the same distance in 1:01.20. “They have been very, very good,” said Carey. “They were just nice breezes, where we weren’t looking to put the pedal to the metal. We will save that for race day. He’s very cool in the mornings. He’s a nice horse to train and easy to gallop. The only thing with him is that you need a pony to walk him home. He’s a handful to walk home.” Fast facts: Nice Dancer, ridden by Sandy Hawley, won the inaugural edition of the Ontario Derby, in 1972. Jockey Kazushi Kimura won four straight runnings of the race, from 2020-23. Wagering menu for the Ontario Derby: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / .20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 9-10-11) / $1 Swinger. Field for the Grade 3 Ontario Derby Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Final Score – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard 2 – Trevally – David Moran – John LeBlanc, Jr. 3 – Fire and Wine – Jalon Samuel – Zeljko Krcmar 4 – Western Warrior – Sahin Civaci – Kelsey Mayhew 5 – Teleport (IRE) – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard 6 – Bull by the Horns – Rasheed Hughes – Saffie Joseph, Jr. 7 – Brachetto – Ryan Munger – Julia Carey 8 – Chaos Agent – Rafael Hernandez – Josie Carroll 9 – Military Time – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse -30- Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
