Woodbine Mile goes to Court Vision

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Sunday's racing program at Woodbine Race Course featured three turf stakes leading to the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in November.

The featured race was the $1 million Woodbine Mile which was won by Court Vision and rider Robby Albarado. The victory by the five-year-old automatically saves him a spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Earlier on the program 8-5 favorite Miss Keller captured the 1 1/8-mile $300,000 Canadian Stakes for fillies and mares, and 9-5 favorite Redwood won the $750,000 Northern Dancer Turf at 1 1/2-miles.

The pace in the Mile, raced a firm turf course, was set by 22-1 longshot Zifzaf. Court Vision, sent off at 7-1, was running off the pace in the middle of the 13 horse field.

Around the final turn 3-1 second choice The Usual Q. T. gained from the outside and looked strong coming into the stretch. Never challenging was 5-2 favorite Famous Name.

At the top of the stretch The Usual Q. T. had a short lead toward the inside as Court Vision rallied down the middle of the course. Inside the furlong pole Court Vision took the lead and went on to register a 1 1/4-length win over The Usual Q. T.

Local runner Woodbourne finished third followed by Crowded House, Zifzaf, Smokey Fire, Famous Name, Grand Adventure, Victor's Cry, Riviera Cocktail, Auteur, Signature Red and Straight Story.

The time for the one-turn mile was 1:34.62.

Trained by Rick Dutrow, Court Vision adds $600,000 to his bankroll. The five- year-old, owned by IEAH Stables and Resolute Group Stable, has won eight of 24 career starts for more than $2.5 million.

His only previous win this year came through a disqualification at Gulfstream Park. Court Vision finished second behind Take the Points in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, however the winner was disqualified allowing Court Vision to be declared the victor.

Last year Court Vision was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Mile behind repeat champ Goldikova at Santa Anita.

For the Woodbine Mile Court Vision returned $16.60, $7.60 and $5.40. The Usual Q. T. paid $4.50 and $4.50, and Woodbourne paid $14.50 to show.

In the Canadian Stakes, four-year-old filly Miss Keller stalked the pace on her way to a 1 3/4-length win over 9-5 second choice Latin Love. Ridden by Javier Castellano, Miss Keller covered the 1 1/8-miles in 1:45.84 on a turf course listed as good.

"She really did (relax nicely)," said Castellano, who was took his second turf stake of the weekend at Woodbine, having scored an upset on Saturday with New Normal in the Natalma. "My concern was keeping track of somebody else. It was a small field. Not much speed in the race. I tracked in behind. She saw it very well today."

Trained by Roger Attfield for Three Chimneys Racing, Miss Keller picked up $180,000 for the win. The Irish-bred filly has won five of 16 career starts for $443,896.

Miss Keller paid $5.20, $2.60 and $2.10. Latin Love returned $3.10 and $2.20, and Magic Broomstick paid $2.80 to show.

Redwood, ridden by Richard Hills, made a successful trip from Europe to capture the Northern Dancer. Bred in Great Britain, Redwood stopped the timer at 2:05.42 for the 1 1/2-miles on a firm surface.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Barry Hills, Redwood found room along the inside down the stretch and was able to post a half-length win over 29-1 longshot Fifty Proof who set the pace.

"When I got to the rail, it was lovely," said the victorious rider. "I took the inside run. The English horses like that. It was a perfect passage. I just told him, 'Go do your thing.' It's a beautiful track to ride on."

Redwood earned $450,000 in his first trip to North America. The four-year-old colt has won four of 10 lifetime starts for $675,189.

The son of the winning trainer indicated Redwood could return to Woodbine for the $2 million Canadian International on October 16.

Redwood returned $5.80, $4.10 and $2.90. Local runner Fifty Proof paid $15.80 and $8.00, and Sam-son Farms' Windward Islands paid $6.40 to show.