There’s a lot of speed entered in Sunday’s $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, setting up the possibility of a pace meltdown.

A dozen Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies are slated to race 1 1/8 miles on Woodbine’s all-weather Tapeta Footings surface, and many have shown a tendency to race on or near the lead. The group of speedsters includes #11 Winterberry, a front-running winner of the Fury Stakes last month; #8 No Time, who led by daylight at every stage of a $50,000 allowance-optional claiming race in June; #5 Shifty, the pacesetting winner of the Catch a Glimpse Stakes last year; and #1 War Signal, who has achieved both of her wins when leading from start to finish.

All of this speed could favor the lightly raced #4 Innisfree Isle. The daughter of Bolt d’Oro is a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to 1 1/4-mile Niagara Stakes winner Lac Macaza, so she’s bred to handle 1 1/8 miles and should be finishing strongly through the stretch in the Woodbine Oaks.

Innisfree Isle, outside, prepares for Woodbine Oaks. (Woodbine/Michael Burns photo)

Already Innisfree Isle has shown a preference for running long. She failed to factor in her May 25 debut sprinting at Woodbine, finishing fifth in a nine-horse field. But she improved when stretching out for a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on June 21. After rating in fifth place, about three lengths behind a modest pace, she closed ground nicely to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Workout Affair. The latter returned to win her next start at the same class level.

If Innisfree Isle receives a fast pace to chase in the Woodbine Oaks, she may step forward with a career-best performance. The fact she’s only run twice means she has lots of upside for improvement — we don’t know her true capabilities yet. Best of all, she’s likely to start at enticing odds in the betting, so even small bets have the potential to yield big payoffs.

If you’re playing the Woodbine Oaks on a $10 budget, we suggest betting Innisfree Isle to win and place. If you want to spend more — say, $30 — and chase higher returns, skip the place bet and opt for exactas pairing Innisfree Isle with Winterberry. Winterberry looks like the fastest of the speed horses and the most likely to still be in contention after a potentially hot pace.

If Innisfree Isle and Winterberry run 1-2 in either order, we’ll cash an exacta ticket.

NOTE: America’s Best Racing will help showcase the card with its “Woodbine LIVE!” show Sunday, featuring coverage of the Woodbine Oaks and the Plate Trial. The show will be hosted by ABR’s Alexa Zepp and handicapper J.D. Fox and will also feature special guests with a start time of 4 p.m. ET and will stream on ABR’s Facebook, X, and YouTube channels.

Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget

$5 to win on #4 Innisfree Isle

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $5 to win on 4

$5 to place on #4 Innisfree Isle

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $5 to place on 4

Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget

$15 to win on #4 Innisfree Isle

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $15 to win on 4

$10 exacta: 11 with 4

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $10 exacta 11 with 4

$5 exacta: 4 with 11

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $5 exacta 4 with 11

Good luck, and enjoy the race!