A look at some of the top highlights from the past weekend of racing at Woodbine. A ‘Royal’ performance Back at the graded level for the first time since November 2024, Shifty couldn’t be caught in the $150,000 HPIbet Royal North Stakes (G3T), Saturday at Woodbine. Entering the 7 ½-furlong inner turf tilt off consecutive victories for owner D. J. Stable, the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro–Elusive Luci showed plenty of spirit in a tenacious triumph by three-quarters of a length. A reliable performer throughout her 15-start career, the Mark Casse charge sports a 5-3-4 line for nearly $462,000 in total prizes. At 4-1, she paid $10. Shifty. Michael Burns Photography Mighty for the Tall Oaks Digging in under rider Pietro Moran, Elusive Yaupon held firm to clinch her first career victory in Saturday’s fifth. Making her second appearance of the season and fourth overall, the sophomore Yaupon filly outlasted a late challenge from streaking 8-1 foe Flying Schulzy to reach the wire a neck clear. Trained by Kevin Attard for owner Ivan Dalos, Elusive Yaupon was bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm. Now standing at 1-2-0 ($64,759), she paid $7.80 as the 5-2 second choice. Elusive Yaupon. Michael Burns Photography Sizzling stakes score X-Men Racing V and Madaket Stables’ Meilani broke through Sunday with a hearty score in Sunday afternoon’s $100,000 Alywow Stakes. Six weeks and one day after a runner-up Ruling Angel Stakes effort, the 3-year-old daughter of Omaha Beach–Tide Is High got up late to edge 6-1 rival Happy Destination by a half-length. The bay, conditioned by Kevin Attard, improved her lifetime line to a symmetrical 2-2-2 across eight starts ($112,640). Sent off at 5-2, Meilani paid $7.40. Meilani. Michael Burns Photography Share This:Share
