Go for Launch goes for top grade in Grade 3 Algonquin
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TORONTO, September 30, 2026 – Unbeaten in two starts to begin her career, Go for Launch hopes to reach new heights in Saturday’s $250,000 Algonquin Stakes (G3T), a five-furlong inner turf test for 2-year-olds at Woodbine.
Go for Launch has checked several early boxes for trainer Kevin Attard, who will ask the emerging freshman to continue building on that progress in her graded debut.
“The one thing you hope to see from a young horse with plenty of promise is the ability to get better in everything they do from week to week,” said Attard. “And that's what she has shown us.
“The growth – mentally, physically, and otherwise – is there. Now she has to step up again, and we have every reason to believe she is ready for that moment.”
The daughter of Flightline out of the Indy Wind mare Starship Jubilee – who enjoyed a stellar racing career under Attard’s tutelage – led off with a confident gate-to-wire score on July 25 at Woodbine.
Go for Launch made her presence felt again on Aug. 26, reuniting with Eclipse Award-winning rider Pietro Moran to capture the 5 ½-furlong Bolton Landing Stakes by 2 ¼ lengths, while becoming the first stakes winner for her elite sire.
“There was a lot to like about the Bolton Landing performance,” said Attard of the victory in 1:02.45. “If I had to choose one thing, it would be the way she drew off with authority and purpose. It was very impressive.”
Attard was equally effusive in his praise of Go for Launch’s intangibles.
“A big key with any 2-year-old is how they handle new things that you throw at them. She has done that and done it extremely well. She might not be the biggest horse, but in her mind, she is. She has a confidence about her that inspires confidence in us.”
The homebred of Bonnie Baskin and Adam Corndorf’s Blue Heaven Farm has collected $141,631 in total purse earnings between her two triumphs.
The encouraging start has put several exciting opportunities in play for Go for Launch, including a potential visit to Keeneland for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) on Oct. 30.
While intrigued by the prospect, Attard’s focus remains firmly on the present.
“Obviously, we would love to race in the Breeders’ Cup but for now it’s one step at a time.”
Christoff Escoffery is the groom.
Recent works: Go for Launch breezed four furlongs in :48.60 over the main track on September 19. Exactly one week later, she covered three furlongs in :35.20 over the same surface.
“Her last two works were typical of how she goes about her business," said Attard. "She's very professional and she wants to be out there. We're very happy with the way she's coming into the race and hopefully, she brings her A-game once again.”
Wagering menu for the Algonquin: Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 7-8-9) / $1 Swinger
Field for the Grade 3 Algonquin
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Speaker’s Speech – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse
2 – Lou’s Room – Sahin Civaci – George Weaver
3 – Mrs D – Jose Campos – Steven Chircop
4 – Go for Launch – Pietro Moran – Kevin Attard
5 – Allura – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Kelsey Danner
6 – Excessif – Fraser Aebly – Graham Motion
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Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine
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