TORONTO, April 30, 2026 – G T Five Hundred, a 6-year-old son of Astern (AUS), takes on six rivals in Sunday’s $100,000 Thorncliffe Stakes at Woodbine.
Trained by Dale Desruisseaux, the seasoned gelding, who has competed at 10 U.S. racetracks over his 40-race career, will make his first start at Woodbine in the 5 ½-furlong main track engagement for 4-year-olds and up.
Centennial Farms Niagara, nom du course of Dominic DiLalla, purchased GT Five Hundred after the 2026 March Digital Sale at Fasig-Tipton.
“I like him,” said Desruisseaux. “You don’t get a full picture of him when you look at the pictures and videos, so when we finally saw him in person, he was way bigger than I thought he would be. I would say he’s about 17.1 or 17.2. He’s a sprinter, but he has the stature and build of a two-turn horse.
“We bought him because he appears to be a synthetic specialist. That said, he’s won on the dirt and the turf, so it doesn’t mean he has to run exclusively in the synthetic. A couple years ago, he was running for 20 claiming, so he’s obviously done extremely well and has a lot of talent.”
Bred in Kentucky by Joe B. Mulholland, Jr., John P. Mulholland and Karen Mulholland, G T Five Hundred sports a mark of 9-6-6 with purse earnings of $517,413.
He launched his career with a trio of starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2022, with his debut on Aug. 6 producing a fourth-place finish. He broke his maiden in his sixth start, a 4 ¾-length score at 6 furlongs over the Oaklawn Park dirt on Feb. 24, 2023.
G T Five Hundred’s stakes breakthrough came this February at Turfway Park when he eked out a head victory in the Forego, at 6 ½ panels over the all-weather track, in what was his stakes debut.
Trained by Mike Maker and ridden by Fernando De La Cruz, G T Five Hundred stopped the teletimer in 1:18.26 for his third straight win. He returned $13.92 for the milestone victory.
Desruisseaux, who had a career-best 2025 campaign, highlighted by six stakes wins and $1,135,104 in purse earnings, has been impressed with the new addition to his stable.
“He has this beautiful long stride,” said Desruisseaux. “He likes to train and is a feel-good horse when he comes back home. But he’s all business when he’s on the track.
“I appreciate the owner going out and getting this guy. We’re really excited about having him in our barn.”
Out of the Mineshaft mare Cocoanut Row, G T Five Hundred will be ridden by Rafael Hernandez in the Thorncliffe.
Troy Garnett is the groom.
Recent works: G T Five Hundred’s last three works – all on the Woodbine main track – include a pair of 4-furlong breezes, a bullet :47.00 on April 18, and a :48.20 move on April 25.
“Two weeks ago, I told Rafi (jockey, Rafael Hernandez) to let him have a somewhat easy breeze. He’s coming off a bit of a layoff since we got him, but Rafi was really, really impressed. He spotted the horse in front of him around eight lengths, caught him at the wire and blew by him. He came back like it was nothing.
“I wasn’t here for the breeze last week. Rafi called me afterwards. I asked him to go an easy :50, but he went :48.20. Rafi said it felt like he wasn’t even moving. Usually, that’s a good sign when horses are going faster than you think they are.” \u200b
Wagering menu for the Thorncliffe: Includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, $1 Swinger.
Fast facts: Arzak won the inaugural edition of the Thorncliffe in 2022.
Desruisseaux will be featured in the newest episode of the award-winning docuseries Free Rein, scheduled for release on May 1. See the trailer here: www.instagram.com/p/DXuUa3UjAcE/
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 $100,000 Thorncliffe Stakes
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Dreaming of Kona (S) – Prayven Badrie – Harold Ladouceur
2 – Roi Soleil – Xarel Forde – Phil Hall
3 – G T Five Hundred – Rafael Hernandez – Dale Desruisseaux
4 – Scorching – Emma-Jayne Wilson – John Charalambous
5 – Poulin in O T – Pietro Moran – Steve Owens
6 – Go Kart Mozart – Sofia Vives – Robert Tiller
7 – Dark Screen – Juan Crawford – Beverley Chubb
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
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