Caitlinhergrtness seeking to become first Plate winner to also win the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor
At 0h04, on August 15, 2025 • By Dave Briggs, Woodbine
Trainer Kevin Attard is relishing a rare opportunity for his 2024 King’s Plate winner to go from great to legendary in Saturday’s (Aug. 16) Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes for fillies and mares at Woodbine Racetrack.
A victory would make Caitlinhergrtness the first Plate winner to also triumph in the E.P. Taylor in the latter’s 70th running.
“I thought that was an interesting tidbit, and obviously would love more than anything to accomplish that feat,” Attard said.
The $750,000 E.P. Taylor – run over 1 ¼ miles, fittingly on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course – has also been added to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series as an official “Win and You’re In” race this year.
The new designation offers the winner an automatic, fees-paid berth into the $2 million (USD) Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships held Oct. 31- Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
The E.P. Taylor is being contested on King’s Plate Day, rather than its usual September slot, in order to accommodate upgrades to the E.P. Taylor Turf Course set to begin soon.
The date change provides the potential for good karma for Attard and the 4-year-old mare’s owner WinStar Farm LLC.
Last year, Caitlinhergrtness became the second filly in three years to win the Plate. She was the sixth female winner in the last 14 years.
“Obviously, it would be pretty special [to win the E.P. Taylor] considering she won the King’s Plate,” Attard said.
Named for basketball star Caitlin Clark, Caitlinhergrtness will contest a field of seven that includes four-time Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty, winner of the 2023 Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes at Woodbine, which was also a “Win and You’re In” race. She Feels Pretty subsequently finished third in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf at Santa Anita. She Feels Pretty will be ridden in the E.P. Taylor by John Velazquez.
The field also includes UK important Diamond Rain (GB), who comes to Woodbine off a victory in the Group 3 JenningsBet In Delves Hoppings Fillies Stakes at Newcastle. Diamond Rain is trained by Charlie Appleby and will be ridden by William Buick.
