A look at some of the top highlights from the past weekend of racing at Woodbine. Lighting up the tote board It was a memorable Saturday afternoon for apprentice rider Kemaire Blackett, who notched his first Woodbine win aboard 43-1 bomb Velocita in the day’s first contest. The dazzling 3 ¾-length triumph as the longest shot in the field of six was also the maiden-breaker for Velocita, who broke through in start number three for trainer John Mattine. Owned by RCC Racing Stable, the 3-year-old daughter of Old Forester–High Tee was bred in Ontario by Tim Griffiths and Robin Griffiths. She paid $88.30. Velocita. Michael Burns Photography. Homeward bound Frank Di Giulio, Jr. homebred Home for a Rest kicked off her 2026 campaign with a hard-earned trip to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s seventh. The 5-year-old daughter of Souper Speedy–Holidaying has been a steady presence for Di Giulio, Jr. and trainer Robert Tiller, finishing inside the top three in eight straight starts dating back to last June. Home for a Rest’s latest feat, a tally by three-quarters-of-a-length under rider Daisuke Fukumoto, was the bay’s sixth through 19 lifetime starts (6-5-1; $227,922). As the 9-5 second choice, she paid $5.70. Home For a Rest. Michael Burns Photography Double play Multiple graded stakes winning conditioner Julia Carey went two-for-two on Sunday courtesy of maiden winners Empty Handed and Brachetto, both of whom were piloted by Ryan Munger. A 3-year-old daughter of Neolithic–Russian River, Empty Handed led off the race day with a confident 3 ½-length decision in her professional debut for owners Discovery Racing, Goldie Stables and Tom McCrocklin, paying $9.20 at 7-2. Brachetto, a 3-year-old Vekoma colt bred in Manitoba, hit paydirt in his third start for breeder Dr. Ross McKague, who co-owns the bay with Brenda McKague. As the 5-2 second choice in race five, Brachetto paid $7.40. Empty Handed. Michael Burns Photography Share This:Share
