TORONTO, August 14, 2026 – Artemus Citylimits, a 9-year-old son of Temple City, will look to defend his title in the $150,000 Vice Regent Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine. Trained by Audrey Cheung, the bay gelding returns to the 5-furlong inner turf test for Ontario-bred 3-year-olds and up sporting an overall record of 9-11-12 from 47 starts and a 6-6-9 mark from 33 turf races. “He’s one that you want to be happy and sharp,” said Cheung. “There have been periods where he’s sometimes a little bit light on his weight, but right now, he’s looking good and carrying really good weight. He’s eating a ton, and I think those are all good signs for him going into this race.” In his last two starts, Artemus Citylimits posted a runner-up finish in a 6-furlong sprint over the main track on May 30 and was most recently a confident 3 ½-length winner in a 5-furlong dash over the inner turf. “He went into that race really well. He was sharp and happy,” said Cheung, of the latter victory run in :56.48. “The race before that, the owner said, ‘Let’s try him on the lead. He seems very comfortable on the lead.’ We’re excited to get him back on the inner turf [for the Vice Regent] because he has always run very well on it. He drew a great post with the one last time out, and Eswan Flores got him out of the gate really quickly, and he was just so comfortable on the lead, and never looked back. It was a very, very nice race.” Preparing the multiple graded-stakes-placed veteran to perform at the peak of his powers isn’t always a cakewalk, but Cheung has a strong read on the formula and the signs that it’s working. “I try to train him fairly lightly,” she said. “We kind of jog him into the race to make him a bit sharper. He does terrorize me a little bit jogging the week before and gives me a run for my money – that’s when he’s feeling good.” Out of the City Zip mare Dene Court, Artemus Citylimits launched his career in 2020 and showed an instant penchant for the podium, finishing inside the top three in 21 of his first 22 starts. Owned by Dwight D. Baron, he broke his maiden in his first-ever start – a hearty 1 ¼-length triumph on March 14, 2020, at Turfway Park. Artemus Citylimits, who was bred in Ontario by Gunpowder Farms, made his stakes debut in the 2020 Greenwood at Woodbine, landing in third. The lifetime earner of more than $763,000 in purses competed in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland, finishing fifth. He picked up his first stakes badge in last year’s Vice Regent, at 19-1. Cheung, who scored her first training win with Alley Oop Johnny on May 23 at Woodbine, is seeking her maiden stakes victory in what will be her second start at the level after beginning her solo conditioning career in April of this year. With a proven strategy already in place and Artemus Citylimits back on his preferred surface, Cheung won’t overthink what needs to happen for a successful title defense. Artemus Citylimits and jockey Eswan Flores winning Race 1 on July 5, 2026 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “Last year, he won the Vice Regent off the pace, but right now, when he’s on the lead, he doesn’t seem bothered by anyone. Eswan has a good clock in his head and knows how to get in there and keep him settled. Hopefully, there’s not too much speed coming up in this next race, and he can proceed with the same strategy and get the job done.” Philip Hyde is the groom. “He does a great job with him,” said Cheung. “Artie can be a little bit aggressive in his stall. He bit me pretty good a couple weeks ago tacking up. He can be a little bit aggressive, but Phil does a great job with him, making sure he’s under control while keeping him happy at the same time.” Recent works: Artemus Citylimits breezed 3 furlongs over the main track in :36.60 on Aug. 7. “Eswan was very happy with his last breeze. He’s actually under quite a hold to even go in :36 and change. He just cruises along. He’s happy, he blows off some steam. We worked him nine days out from the race to give him a little more time in between to freshen up.” Fast Facts: The race was named in honour of the distinguished Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee. Vice Regent’s son, Randy Regent won the inaugural running in 1997. Wagering menu for the Vice Regent: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / .20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 9-10-11) / $1 Swinger. Field for the $150,000 Vice Regent Stakes Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Mister Blue – Rafael Hernandez – Josie Carroll 2 – Outlaw Kid – Sahin Civaci – George Weaver 3 – Poulin in O T – Ryan Munger – Steve Owens 4 – Artemus Citylimits – Eswan Flores – Audrey Cheung 5 – Light the Lamp – Pietro Moran – Don MacRae 6 – Dark Screen – Juan Crawford – Beverley Chubb 7 – Cost of War (S) – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse -30- Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
