TORONTO, November 8, 2025 – Pondering, in her first appearance at Woodbine, pounced late to take top prize Saturday’s $150,000 Bessarabian Stakes (G3). It was a cavalry charge to the start of the seven-furlong main track event for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and upward, with Stormcast, last year’s winner, crossing over from the outside to grab the lead before taking her rivals, including Dolce Sopresa, in second, and Pondering, sitting third, through an opening panel in :22.76. In rein to Patrick Husbands, Stormcast continued to lead the way, with Caitlinhergrtness, the 2-1 choice, now second, through a half in :45.83, as Declan Cannon, aboard Pondering, sat fourth. Caitlinhergrtness seized control into the turn for home and then looked to dash away from her pursuers in early stretch, while Pondering, at 12-1, looked to reel in the 2024 King’s Plate winner. With less than 125 yards to go, Pondering surged to the lead en route to a three-quarter length victory. Caitlinhergrtness was second, one length ahead of graded stakes winner Love Cervere. Uphill Dance, at 95-1, closed to be fourth. The final time for the Brendan Walsh trainee was 1:23.34. Pondering and jockey Declan Cannon winning the Bessarabian Stakes on November 8, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “I didn’t think I’d be sitting as close as that, but I just sat in there, let her relax,” said Cannon. “And she was very game when I called on her. She did everything right. I’m very proud of the effort today. “I always felt like I had the measure of her (Caitlinhergrness). And you know, I just didn’t want to get there too soon because she knows, she’s done it enough.” It was the second stakes success for the Godolphin homebred (Kentucky), who won the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes, on August 2. The 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun out of the Street Sense mare Always Thinking, who is now 4-1-1 from 13 starts, broke her maiden in her career bow, a 2 ¼-length triumph at 5 ½ furlongs over the Ellis Park dirt on July 22, 2024. She arrived at the Bessarabian off a third in the Franklin Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland on October 12. Pondering paid $27.90 for today’s win. Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
