Epic Style closes the deal in Sweet Briar Too
%20(1).png)
TORONTO, September 19, 2026 – Maryland shipper Epic Style fashioned a superb off the pace rally, earning her first career stakes win in Saturday's $125,000 Sweet Briar Too Stakes at Woodbine.
As expected, recent Grade 2 Highlander Stakes winner Miss Vyvyanne broke sharply and set the early fractions versus the field of seven, in the six-furlong E.P. Taylor Turf sprint for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up.
Miss Vyvyanne, with Emma-Jayne Wilson up, tore out to the early lead through an opening quarter mile in :21.98. The grey Lost and Found was second. Without Cause raced third, Uphill Dance was fourth and Quadruple (GB) was tucked in on the rail in 5th. Several lengths back, the Michael Stidham-trained Epic Style raced second last and the other grey Orderofthephoenix (IRE) trailed the field.
Skimming the portable rail, Miss Vyvyanne continued to dominate on the front end through a half mile in :43.92. Two panels from home, Woodbine's leading rider Pietro Moran, had Epic Style out widest and in full flight, and the pair struck the front a half furlong out, going on to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:08.04 over a course listed 'firm.'
Riding the dark bay/brown 4-year-old year for the first time, Moran helped engineer the first black type win for the daughter of Good Magic, a $300,000 purchase from the 2024 Ocala Breeders Two-Year-Olds in training sale.
"It set up perfect. She's a classy filly. She broke great,” said Moran.
“I was able to find myself all by myself around the turn. She was comfortable and she's got some kick. I just want to thank all the owners, Mr. Stidham. They've done a great job.”
Assistant Trainer Parker Hendriks made the trip north on behalf of Stidham.
"We're incredibly lucky to be working with her. If anybody saw her in the paddock, she doesn't even need a lip chain,” said Hendriks. “She just walks around totally classy, super relaxed. She's a real pleasure to train every day.”
Going second off the layoff, Epic Style (Good Magic - Final Mesa, by Sky Mesa) arrived at Woodbine after a 2 1/4 length win at Kentucky Downs in late August.
She won that day at six and half furlongs and Stidham said pre-race that the six, six and half-furlong distance is the ‘sweet spot’ for the confirmed one run closer.
Bred in Kentucky by Tom Durant and owned by Speedway Stables LLC, Epic Style enhanced her record to 4-3-2 from 13 career starts, while scoring her second win in three attempts at the turf distance.
Epic Style was listed at 4-1 morning line, went off at 8-5 and returned $5.30 for the win. 25-1 shot Quadruple (GB) rallied to be 2nd. Miss Vyvyanne held for 3rd and second choice Without Cause was 4th. Z Z's was a steward scratch.
Phil McSween, for Woodbine
