TORONTO, July 20, 2025 – No Time, under John Velazquez, blew by her stablemates to win the 70th edition of the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Stella Artois, Sunday at Woodbine. Trainer Mark Casse had five chances to notch his record-tying fifth Oaks crown. As to which one of his quintet – Ella It Is, No Time, Shifty, War Signal, Winterberry – it could be, not even he was certain. “I think No Time is a sleeper,” said Casse, earlier in the week. “She is another one that if she is happy, she is going to be tough.” No Time was both. Owned by Gary Barber, the dark bay filly headed into the biggest race in the country for Canadian-foaled 3-year-old fillies without a stakes victory on her résumé. In front of a large crowd, the daughter of Not This Time out of the Red Ransom mare Count to Three put on a show in her fourth stakes engagement. It was a scramble for the early lead in the 12-horse field, with Winterberry, from post 11, rocketing from her outside gate to strike front, while Crystal Visions settled into second, followed by Shifty, the slight 2-1 choice, and War Signal. No Time, in the famous hot pink and black silks of Barber, was sixth through an opening quarter in :22.97. Winterberry continued to show the way through a half in :46.47, in front of Crystal Visions and Shifty, while No Time improved to fourth. The pacesetter was still clear through three-quarters in 1:10.97, but No Time loomed a major presence heading into the turn for home, as did Aristella, who came calling four-wide. Shifty, along the inside, struck front in early stretch. On top by a shrinking half-length at Robert Geller’s stretch call, No Time then took over and drove clear under steady handling to record a 3 ¾-length win in 1:50.14. Shifty was second, 1 ½ lengths ahead of Winterberry. D’aurum closed willingly to take fourth. No Time and jockey John Velazquez winning the Woodbine Oaks on July 20, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “We know it’s going to be a lot of pace in the race, so I wanted to see how it developed and developed in front of us,” said Velazquez, who won his first Oaks. “She held her ground pretty well going to the first turn. So, kind of held it there. By the time she got to the backstretch, she switched and got a little bit on the bridle a little sooner than I wanted to. So, I kind of give and take a little bit. By the time we got to the half-mile pole, I just kind of kept it nice and easy. “And then I didn’t want to make a premature move, but let her do whatever she was doing, easy at the same time the quarter pole came, and she switched on down the lane, and she gave another gear.” It was the fifth Oaks triumph for Casse, now tied with Jim Day for the most Oaks victories by a trainer. No Time is now 3-0-1 from eight starts. Steadied sharply in her career bow last August when she was eighth, she won next time out – with Velazquez aboard – in a 1 1/16-mile turf race on September 14 at Woodbine. No Time and jockey John Velazquez after winning the Woodbine Oaks on July 20, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Bred by James Everatt, Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse, No Time was a $250,000 purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. Prince Parris is the groom. The Woodbine Oaks has served as a King’s Plate (August 16) stepping-stone for fillies. Oaks-Plate champions include Moira (2022), Holy Helena (2017), Lexie Lou (2014), Inglorious (2011) and Dancethruthedawn (2001). In 2018, Oaks runner-up Wonder Gadot went on to win Plate, as did Caitlinhergrtness in 2024. “I think if she can do that again and relax the first part, obviously, the way she did today, I think she has a very good chance,” said Velazquez, of a possible date in the Plate. No Time paid $15.50 for today’s win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
