Grade 3 Belle Mahone beckons for Stylish Sue

TORONTO, May 28, 2026 – Stylish Sue, trained by Joe Sharp for Highland Training Center, takes on six rivals in Saturday’s $150,000 Belle Mahone Stakes (G3), at Woodbine. ​

A daughter of Nyquist out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Curlin mare Maria Maria, Stylish Sue will make her first start outside of the U.S. in the 1 1/16-mile main track race for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up.

“I think a flat mile to a mile and a sixteenth is probably what suits her best,” noted Sharp. “She’s coming into the race doing fantastic. Obviously, we wouldn’t come up there if we weren’t confident in how she’s doing. She’s going into it well. Hopefully, we get a good setup on Saturday.”

The 5-year-old chestnut mare, bred in Kentucky by Curtis C. Green, won the $250,000 Listed Latonia Stakes on Mar. 21, at Turfway Park. Piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., she led from the start, going on to win by 4 ¼ lengths over 1 1/16 miles contested on the all-weather track.

“She broke really sharp and traveled strong on the lead,” said Ortiz. “I had plenty of horse the whole way and when I asked her to go, she responded great.”

Sharp was equally pleased with the showing.

“We liked the way she ran at Turfway. She was strong throughout, came home with a lot of energy and showed everything she is capable of.”

Sporting a mark of 5-2-0 ($461,677) from 15 starts, Stylish Sue debuted with a pair of off-the-board finishes at Fair Grounds in early 2024.

She broke through in her third start, taking a maiden special weight flat-mile turf race at Horseshoe Indianapolis by 2 ¼ lengths on May 4, 2024. ​

Stylish Sue arrives at the Belle Mahone off a fifth in the 1 1/8-mile Modesty Stakes (G3T) on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

“That was a bit frustrating,” said Sharp, who won the Star Shoot Stakes with Mony Mony on Apr. 25 at Woodbine. “I think she is a better filly than that. I think the race she ran in the Latonia is more indicative of who she actually is. As hard knocking of a filly that she is, I was happy to see her finally get the stakes wins she deserves.”

Stylish Sue was a $150,000 purchase at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Recent works: Stylish Sue recorded a pair of recent 4-furlong breezes, :52.00 on May 16 and :49.20 on May 23, both at Turfway Park.

“That was just maintenance for her,” said Sharp. “She’s doing well [coming into the race] and doing the same routine.”

Fast fact: On May 19, 1917, Belle Mahone, ridden by Frank Robinson, won the 59th running of the King's Plate by a length. The daughter of Ypsilanti, who was coupled with Galley Head in the Plate, paid $2.80 for the win.

Wagering menu for the Belle Mahone: Includes Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / 0.20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8) / 0.20 Pick 5 (Races 6-7-8-9-10) / $1 Swinger / $5 ALL STAKES Pick 3 **15 % Takeout** (Races 6-7-9)

Woodbine is also offering a special wagering opportunity, the Woodbine Stakes Pick 3, linking the day’s three marquee races:

Woodbine Stakes Pick 3 Details:

Need to know: First race post time on Saturday is 1:20 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com.

Field for the $150,000 Belle Mahone Stakes (G3)

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer ​ ​

1 – No Time – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse

2 – Equitas – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mike De Paulo

3 – Deloraine – Ryan Munger – Eoin Harty

4 – Power of Destiny (GB) (S) – Romero Ramsamy Maragh – Jamie Begg

5 – Elysian Field – Pietro Moran – Mark Casse

6 – Stylish Sue – Rafael Hernandez – Joe Sharp

7 – Hurricane Clair – Eswan Flores – Mike Wright, Jr.

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Chris Lomon, Woodbine

The 2025 Belle Mahone Stakes at Woodbine, won by Caitlinhergrtness (Michael Burns Photo)