Reagan’s Flame Roars in Whimsical Stakes
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TORONTO, May 2, 2026 – Reagan’s Flame, under 2024 Sovereign-winning Top Jockey Sahin Civaci, launched a strong off the pace rally to roar home and win Saturday’s $150,000 Whimsical Stakes presented by Crown Royal (G3) at Woodbine.
Breaking from post 4, the 5-year-old bay mare broke alertly before settling into 4th. Ms. Bucherro powered to the lead from the rail post, with Brindi (IRE) and American Women flanking that leader at close range though an opening quarter in 21:99.
Entering the far turn in the first graded stakes’ race on the Woodbine calendar, Civaci took the Kentucky-bred daughter of Flameaway back to last in the field of six, as Ms. Bucherro was joined at the top of the stretch by American Women. The half-mile split in the 6-furlong main track event for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up was a rapid 44:77.
Inside the quarter pole, Lithe Spirit launched a 3-wide move, while drawing clear of the top pair, and Reagan’s Flame, widest, was in hot pursuit of the new leader. In mid-stretch, the winner engaged Lithe Spirit and wore that one down, while under a strong hand ride, crossing the wire a length and half in front, in a final time 1:10:11. Lithe Spirit finished second, while 21-1 longshot Quadruple (GB) ran on well for third. Maximum Fifty was scratched.
“Our horse popped out really well, I knew a couple horses would go. I wanted to back right behind them. There was very little gap on my inside but someone managed to squeeze in and I was look oh God,” said Civaci. “I managed to circle around.”
The Whimsical triumph was the first career graded score for Reagan’s Flame. And her second straight on an all-weather surface after winning her season bow by an impressive 6 ¼ lengths in a mile and sixteen handicap at Gulfstream Park for former conditioner Martin Drexler.
Now under the care of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr, Reagan’s Flame, now a 7-time winner from 20 starts, was cutting back to a sprint distance after four consecutive route races, which did concern Civaci.
“I don’t look far ahead before the races. When I got here I looked at the replays of this horse and I saw that it’s been running routes, so seeing the 6 furlongs today, I’m like ‘oh oh’. Post parade she seemed sharp so I had confidence. I just wanted the speed to go and she did her thing down the lane.”
Civaci captured the Woodbine riding title in 2024, winning 170 races, while boasting a win percentage of 26 per cent en route to being named Canada’s champion jockey. He moved his tack to New York in the fall of 2025.
“I thank Mr. Joseph for flying me out here today and putting me on these nice horses, also the owners, big support from them, they’ve been riding me here last year as well, we’ve done really well.”
“It’s always good to be back here, riding on this surface. Woodbine has top class surfaces, turf and Tapeta, so it’s always good.”
Reagan’s Flame, owned by BAG Racing Stables LLC, Turf Express, Inc and Watkins Diamond Stables LLC, opened at 3-1 on the morning line, with final odds of 2-1 and paid $6.90.
Phil McSween, Woodbine
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