TORONTO, June 27, 2026 – A 5-furlong Woodbine inner turf specialist, Miss Vyvyanne once again showed her penchant for the course and distance, this time in Saturday’s $200,000 bet365 Highlander Stakes (G2T), at Woodbine. Breaking sharply from the rail under Pietro Moran, the 6-year-old mare immediately established the lead in the 5-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up. Western Whirl and G T Five Hundred tracked closely through an opening quarter in :22.22. It remained status quo on the front end as the 6-year-old daughter of Rainbow Heir out of the Half Ours mare Caribean Beat continued to carry on confidently rounding the turn for home. The Gail Cox trainee was well in control mid-way down the lane, the only thing left to settle being her margin of victory. Owned by Ralph R. Murray and Calstar Farm, Miss Vyvyanne went on to record a two-length triumph. Western Whirl was second, while G T Five Hundred and Outlaw Kid, the latter a two-time stakes winner at Woodbine, dead-heated for third. The final was :56.27. Miss Vyvyanne and Pietro Moran winning the bet365 Highlander Stakes (G2T) on June 27, 2026 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “She’s a cool filly, very easy,” said Moran. “She’s quick and when she gets comfortable out there, she just finishes strong. She’s pretty easy and gives her best effort every time. This year, she’s better than ever.” Now 12-3-1 from 25 starts, Miss Vyvyanne has won her past five races at 5 furlongs on the Toronto oval inner turf. She was claimed for $32,000 last June by Cox and Murray out of her second consecutive victory against optional claiming fillies at Woodbine. “We just liked that she was a fast filly,” said Cox of the decision to claim the chestnut. “She’s run well for everybody that had her. She just seemed to be very consistent.” Bred in Florida by Tom McCrocklin and Gerald Martin, Miss Vyvyanne debuted in September 2022 and finished third in a 5 ½-furlong race over the Woodbine main track. One race later, on Nov. 5, she broke her maiden at the same distance and over the same ground. Between Aug. 31, 2025, and Apr. 11, 2026, she reeled off four consecutive victories. Miss Vyvyanne, the 8-5 choice, paid $5.20 for the Highlander win. -30- Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
