Academic will face older rivals next in Maple Leaf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After Grade 3 wins against males in the Canadian Derby and British Columbia Derby, Academic will tackle older fillies and mares in the Grade 3, $150,000 Maple Leaf Stakes at Woodbine on Oct. 31, trainer Reade Baker said.

The Maple Leaf covers 1 1/4 miles on Polytrack. Justin Stein, who has ridden Academic in each of her three stakes wins this year, retains the mount, Baker said.

After a win in her seasonal debut in a maiden special weight race in May, Academic captured the Woodbine Oaks in gate-to-wire fashion at odds of 66-1 on June 14. She faced males for the first time in the Queen’s Plate on July 5 but did not finish after dueling on the lead with Sweet Grass Creek through fast fractions.

From there, she was transferred to the barn of trainer Tim Rycroft at Northlands Park to prep for the Canadian Derby and British Columbia Derby. She won the Canadian Derby by eight lengths and got up just in time to win the British Columbia Derby by a neck after being boxed in along the rail for most of the race. Academic became the first filly to win the British Columbia Derby since Ky. Music in 1959 and is the first filly to win the Canadian Derby since Raylene in 2003.

Academic arrived back at Woodbine on Oct. 2, and Baker is pleased with how she’s progressed.

“She’s in great shape,” Baker said.

Academic breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 over the dirt training track here Saturday and likely will record her final breeze for the Maple Leaf this weekend.