The 2010 renewal of the $1 million dollar Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) is coming up as one of the most contentious and competitive fields the race has hosted in many years. The race is headlined by multiple grade 1 winners The Usual Q. T. and Court Vision, hailing from the West and East coast of the United States respectively. The Usual Q.T. is the leading grass runner among males on the west coast after posting an impressive victory in the Eddie Read Stakes (gr.1) over a strong field that included Victor’s Cry and Loup Breton. In his last start the 4-year-old gelding finished fifth as the favorite on Del Mar’s Polytrack in the Pacific Classic (gr.1).
Court Vision enters the Woodbine Mile off a three month layoff which means he enters fresh and ready to fire. Being a three time grade 1 winner Court Vision has proven on multiple occasions that he posses one of the most devastating turns of foot in the United States, now he looks to prove himself over Woodbine’s renowned turf course. In his last start the 5-year-old colt finished 6th in the Manhattan Handicap (gr.1) and even with such a poor start his incredibly consistent record helped establish him as the second favorite in the Woodbine Mile and he could prove to be the horse to beat.
The field is completed by Shoemaker Mile (gr.1) winner Victors Cry, European based runner Famous Name, Crowded
House, Zifzaf, Straight Story, Smokey Fire, Signature Red, Auteur, Riviera Cocktail, Woodbourne and Grand Adventure.
B,
ReplyDeleteTough field, huh? Lots of Cali invaders topped by THE USUAL Q.T. That 10-8-1-0 turf record is very hard to ignore. There will be a ton of speed to set up a late runner like him. ZIFZAF interests me for a "value" pick. His last vs. GET STORMY was a very big run, final 2 1/2 furlongs in a blazing :28 4/5 indicating he belongs in graded stakes company in the U.S. This may be a bigger bite than he can chew on past class, but he's a late-blooming 4y.o. that is sure to be overlooked in this talented field. ZIFZAF also gets a significant break in the weights at 117 and owns a win at Bel at a similar one turn configuration on the grass. Toss in a huge rider upgrade to Leparoux and this guy's lookin' really live at a price.
Good luck on the weekend, enjoy the preps!
Thanks Rob, good luck to you as well!
ReplyDeleteI kind of like Zifzaf as well, though I do think he is out classed in the Woodbine Mile. I think European invader Famous Name could provide the most legitimate surprise here with the nice change down in weights to what he has been used to oversees. He seems like a really nice runner, I'm just not sure if he's as good as the likes of The Usual Q. T. and Court Vision.
I took a peek at FAMOUS NAME as well. I usually give extra credit to Euros coming here but there are some things I don't like...cutting back from 10f to 8f, didn't finish well at all last out, last was worst effort showing in PP's, coming back in just 15 days. Theoretically, Lasix should help if he bled last out, but I've heard many times that a horse needs time after a bleeding incident to forget it couldn't breathe. Probably bled in his May win, had 74 days off to recover, won his return, then faced really top-class horses and made no impression while comments state he was all out the final 3f. My concern is his fitness.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, FAMOUS NAME exits the best race and if right probably wins. His class is obvious, 19-9-6-2 w/ over $1.3 million earnings. If it rains, that certainly helps. So if class is your concern, don't be worried. He's got tons of it and no matter how good THE USUAL Q.T. and the others are, the Woodbine Mile is a step down for FAMOUS NAME.
Interesting, I actually like that he is cutting back in distance this time around but I was not aware that he bleeds. That always worries me. I agree, the class change is definitely in his favor.
ReplyDeleteBrian,
ReplyDeleteGreat call on COURT VISION my friend! And he wins at over 7-1; couldn't believe his post time odds. I think he just loves the one-mile distance. Next stop, BC MIle.
Brian,
ReplyDeleteEcho Steve's comment. The two horses you featured, especially COURT VISION, ran huge. Cold exacta. Nice work and posted Friday, no less!
Thanks Steve, I was surprised at how great his odds were too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob! Famous Name certainly turned in a very poor performance so nice call on your end as well!
ReplyDeleteThe seasonal pattern for Court Vision.
ReplyDeleteHe did the same thing last year for these connections.
I should have been on this one. But as usual, I overthinked. :-(
I can't believe I didn't key in this exacta on your blog contest, I don't know what I was thinking!!
ReplyDelete