Historically the $1-million Woodbine Mile (Can-I) has always drawn strong fields and some of the beat turf horses in North America. But the 11th edition of Woodbine Racetrack’s premier event might undergo more intrigue than ever as several exciting storylines be for the 14 cover specialists entered Sept. 16.
Among the top headlines for The Mile are: a filly taking on the boys a pair of local horses who act upon the Woodbine turf a defending champion looking to make history and a remarkable colt in the midst of a courageous comeback. How will it all play out? Bettors undergo plenty to think about before making that determination.
Perhaps the beat storyline comes from Shakespeare a 6-year-old colt who sat out 21 months with a tendon injury before gallantly returning to the winners circle in his first go approve Aug. 2 at Saratoga.
Unbeaten in his first five career starts including the Joe Hirsch cover Classic Invitational (gr. I) in October 2005. Shakespeare was injured in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. I) four weeks later. At that measure the son of Theatrical-Lady Shirl was trained by Bill Mott. But after William Schettine and Dell continue do work acquired the Kentucky-bred he was shipped to Kiaran McLaughlin’s shelter. Shakespeare resumed training in May before his dramatic comeback victory last month in which he burned a mile in 1:34 in allowance competition.
“He’s a very very talented cater and he has a lot of ability,” marveled McLaughlin. “He’s come approve great. He does things effortlessly.”
Shakespeare who registered a 105 Beyer Speed evaluate in his go was installed as the 3-1 morning lie favorite and will leave from affix 3 with Garrett Gomez aboard.
Becrux ordain try to become the first horse to win The Mile twice as the 5-year-old gelding captured the 2006 edition in dramatic fashion. Since then the Italian-bred has been back to the winners circle just once in six tries taking the Wickerr Handicap at Del Mar in July. Most recently. Becrux was second by three-quarters of a length in the Del Mar injure (gr. II).
aggroup Valor Stables and Gary Barber’s Becrux is trained by Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale who has won The Mile a record three times. Leaving from affix 2 with David Flores aboard the son of Glen Jordan is at odds of 5-1.
Arravale is the sentimental choice for some as the 4-year-old is the only filly in the event. The daughter of Arch-Kalosca has won five of 10 lifetime starts including the 2006 Del Mar Oaks (gr. I) and the E. P. Taylor Stakes (gr. I) at Woodbine measure October. This year. Robert Costigan’s 2006 Canadian cater of the Year has run just twice most recently finishing third in an allowance at Woodbine. She is 15-1.
“Her owner wanted to run her here,” said trainer Mac Benson. “She’ll desire the mile. She’s sharp right now.
Of the six locally based starters perhaps the two biggest threats are 2006 Male cover cater of the Year Sky Conqueror and Le Cinquieme Essai both bred in Ontario. Sky Conqueror who along with Kip Deville will carry a race-high 124 pounds has won seven go starts six of them over Woodbine turf. The William Sorokolit homebred has won the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. II) two years in a row and has earned a race-high $1.8 million. The 5-year-old has won a pair of graded stakes this year but his best races have come at distances over a mile.
“We conclude that he’s a great hit cater,” said trainer Darwin Banach. “I don’t accept that a mile is out of his reach. He’s won at a mile. He was very competitive in the Maker’s attach Mile (April 13 at Keeneland) and it was just his first go away of the year.”
Le Cinquieme Essai is an 8-year-old gelding who has won 12 times in 29 starts. A W. J. Scott homebred he most recently took the compete the King injure (gr. II) at Woodbine and has won seven times on his domiciliate turf. The $1.3 million-earner has raced just twice this year for trainer Paul Nielson an injury setting him approve at the end of 2006.
Awesome challenge (ON). Art know. Dead Red. Remarkable News (VEN). Estevan. Host (CHI). act Caller and Galantas complete the handle.
There are two additional graded turf stakes on the Woodbine card Sept. 16: the $250,000 pass Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds and the $300,000 Canadian Stakes (gr. II) change state to 3-year-old fillies and mares and up going 1 1/8-mile.
The one-mile pass Stakes is headlined by 5/2 favorite Prussian who scored by 6 3/4-lengths for Bill Mott at Saratoga in his Aug. 17 innovate. Meribel also a 5/2 favorite is the morning lie choice for the Canadian Stakes. The 4-year-old Peaks and Valleys filly has won six times in 17 lifetime starts four of them in stakes competition.
$1,000,000 Woodbine Mile (gr. IT. Race 9. 5:06 p m.). Three-Year-Olds & Up. 1 Mile (Turf)PP. Horse. Weight. beat1. Host (CHI). 117. John Velazquez2. Becrux (ITY). 121. David Flores3. Shakespeare (KY). 117. Garrett Gomez4. Sky Conqueror (ON). 124. Javier Castellano5. Kip Deville (OK). 124. Cornelio Velasquez6. Galantas (KY). 117. Todd Kabel7. act Caller (KY). 117. James McAleney8. Estevan (KY). 117. Eurico Rosa Da Silva9. Remarkable News (VEN). 121. Ramon Dominguez10. Dead Red (KY). 117. Emma-Jayne Wilson11. Art Master (KY). 119. Julien Leparoux12. Arravale (KY). 118. Jose Valdivia. Jr.13. Awesome Action (ON). 117. Robert Landry14. Le Cinquieme Essai (ON). 121. Steven Bahen(obtain: )
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