TORONTO, September 12, 2026 – Lupa (IRE) used her natural speed and capitalized on a return to synthetic to wire a short field and win the $175,000 HPIbet Ontario Matron Stakes (Grade 3) at Woodbine. With regular reinsman Fraser Aebly up, the lightly raced 4-year-old daughter of Lope de Vega (IRE), was brushed slightly by Hurricane Clair as the gates opened, but quickly assumed command while saving ground on the rail into the clubhouse turn. Speedy Freeze and Queen Azteca were pre-card stewards’ scratches, reducing the field from seven to five in the one and one-sixteenths mile main track route for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up. Aebly, aboard for all eight of Lupa’s previous races, had the bay filly on the point through an opening quarter mile in :23.20. Serendipity tracked in second, favourite Fantastical was third on the rail. Hurricane Clair raced fourth and War Painter trailed the field. Lupa (IRE), under a light Aebly guzzle continued to lead through an opening half mile in :46.83 Mid-turn, recent Grade 3 Trillium Stakes winner Fantastical emerged to get first run at the leader, through a six-furlong clocking of 1:11.37. Well rated by Aebly, Lupa (IRE) saved good ground entering the lane and kicked home in resounding fashion to win by 3 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:43.38. Race favourite Fantastical was second, longshot War Painter was third, and Hurricane Clair was fourth. Lupa (IRE) and jockey Fraser Aebly winning the HPIbet Ontario Matron Stakes (G3) on September 12, 2026 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) In winning the Ontario Matron, the Josie Carroll trained Lupa (IRE) turned the tables on Fantastical, who caught her late to win the Trillium. Owned by Mark Dodson, Lupa (IRE) showed her natural speed again last out in the Grade 2-Canadian Stakes on Woodbine’s inner turf, leading much of the way before finishing third. An elated Aebly gave his filly a congratulatory pat past the wire as she earned her first career graded score. “She’s a little quirky to sit on, but she’s all heart. She gives you everything she has every time, and Josie and the whole team over there do such an amazing job with her, and she’s a pleasure to ride when she runs,” said Aebly, who has now guided Lupa (IRE) to all four of her lifetime wins. Going fourth off the layoff, Lupa (IRE) had flirted with graded success, finishing second in the Grade 3 Trillium and third recently in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes on turf. Hall of Fame conditioner Carroll was quick to credit her team for the filly’s maturation. “This is tremendously rewarding. This filly is very talented, and I have to give a shout out to my crew on this one. Taylor Chapman, that gallops her in the morning as Lupa tries to run off every day and she eases her back every day. She’s really taught her some manners, and it’s starting to pay off,” said the 4-time King’s Plate winning trainer. “Today, she sure looked good on the synthetic. So, you know, I think she’s a versatile horse, yes, but she does seem to really take to the surface.” Bred in Ireland by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, Lupa (IRE) appeared at 2-1 on the morning line, went off at 4-1 and paid a square $10.50 for the win. With the graded Ontario Matron on her resume, Lupa (IRE) improved to 4-1-1 from 9 starts, while earning her third win on synthetic and third in five tries at the distance. -30- Phil McSween, Woodbine Share This:Share
