Handicapper's Corner: 2025 Woodbine Mile (G1)

  

Notable Contenders vie in Grade 1 Woodbine Mile

By: Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman

Hello racing fans! As summer gives way to autumn, all eyes turn north to Woodbine Racetrack for one of Canada’s signature events: the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.

Traditionally contested on the expansive E.P. Taylor turf course, this year’s edition will instead be run on the inner turf due to ongoing renovations. The race showcases top-class milers and serves as a steppingstone to even bigger stages later in the year.

Since its inauguration in 1997, the Woodbine Mile has attracted elite turf horses from around the world, with champions such as Wise Dan, Tepin, and Modern Games etching their names into history.

With a purse of one million dollars (CAD), the Mile consistently draws a world-class field and stands as one of North America’s premier one-mile turf events.

This year’s edition will feature Notable Speech, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, as the powerhouse team looks to add another Woodbine Mile trophy to their collection following wins in 2022 and 2023.

Adding international intrigue is One Stripe, trained by respected conditioner Graham Motion, who already secured a Breeders’ Cup Mile berth by capturing the prestigious Group 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate in South Africa.

Local hopes will be well represented too, with multiple Canadian conditioners taking their shot, including Mark Casse, Mike DiPaolo, Martin Hinkson, Kevin Attard and Catherine Day Phillips, all of whom bring home-court experience to this year’s Mile.

Adding to the excitement, the Woodbine Mile shares the spotlight with two key Grade 1 races for 2-year-olds: the Summer Stakes and the Natalma Stakes. Together, these three races make up Turf Champions Day and are all “Win and You’re In” qualifiers for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, giving horses of all ages the chance to earn a berth on racing’s biggest stage. This trio ensures that Woodbine remains at the center of the racing world on an action-packed day.

This year’s edition promises another compelling chapter, with a field blending proven class and emerging talent. Fans and connections alike will be watching closely to see who can rise to the occasion and claim their place in Woodbine Mile history.

Post time for the Mile is scheduled for 5.39 p.m. 

Let’s look at the field from the rail out.

1. Stanley House (De Paulo / Salles)   10-1
Hard-trying local who’s danced a lot of dances but usually finds himself a cut below Grade 1 company. The inside draw could help him save ground, but he’ll need everything to fall his way just to get a minor piece.
Category: Underneath

2. Notable Speech (Appleby / Buick)   8-5
The class of the field on paper. Lightly raced but brilliant Euro miler with a serious turn of foot. Appleby/Godolphin have made this race their Canadian calling card in recent years, and with Buick aboard, he’s the one they all have to beat.
Category: Win Contender

3. One Stripe (Motion / Velazquez)   5-2
Already a Group 1 winner overseas and carries a “Win and You’re In” ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Motion is excellent with imports, and Velazquez should have him well-placed to launch his late kick. Major threat if he adapts quickly.
Category: Win Contender

4. Hunt Master (Hinckson / Flores)   20-1
Ambitious placement from a small barn. Admirable consistency, but against this kind of company, he’s in deep water. Likely to be outrun when the real running begins.
Category: Toss

5. Wyoming Bill (Day Phillips / Dettori)   15-1
Interesting mid-priced player. Versatile running style and gets the services of Frankie Dettori, who can work magic on turf. Still has something to prove against Grade 1 company, but not without a puncher’s chance if the pace suits.
Category: Exotics Use

6. My Boy Prince (Casse / Rosario)   10-1
Canada’s hope. Last year’s King’s Plate winner and runner-up in the 2023 Summer Stakes. Genuine and consistent, with tactical speed and Rosario’s patience a plus. Might lack the raw turn of foot of the top internationals but cannot be dismissed.
Category: Exotics Use

7. Naptown (Magana / Carrasco)   20-1
Lightly regarded outsider. Hasn’t shown the class or figs needed to match up with this field.
Category: Toss

8. Win for the Money (Casse / Husbands)   8-1
Casse’s “other” runner, and a solid Woodbine-based turf horse. A notch below his stablemate but could stick around for a minor slice if the trip works out.
Category: Underneath

9. Gas Me Up (Attard / Prat)   5-1
Wild card. Brings tactical speed and gets one of North America’s best turf riders in Flavien Prat. Attard is a shrewd local trainer who can have one ready for a big run. Could be the value play to spice up the exotics.
Category: Exotics Use

Race Analysis

The 2025 Woodbine Mile sets up as a showdown between international class and local pride. Notable Speech arrives for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin with the kind of credentials that have made this race their playground in recent years. His devastating turn of foot should be well-suited to the inner turf, and William Buick knows exactly how to time his run.

South African star One Stripe, now in Graham Motion’s care, adds intrigue as a proven Group 1 miler. He’ll get a pace to run at and looms the most dangerous late threat if he adapts quickly to North American racing.

Among the locals, My Boy Prince carries Canada’s hopes. A King’s Plate winner and Summer Stakes runner-up, his tactical speed ensures Rosario can keep him in the fight. He may lack the killer turn of foot of the internationals, but his grit makes him a strong exotics player.

The wild card is Gas Me Up, who could be the pace player with Prat aboard. If left alone, he’s talented enough to stick around and blow up the trifecta or super. Wyoming Bill, under Frankie Dettori, also deserves a look as an exotics candidate with a versatile style.

Top 3 Selections

Notable Speech (#2) – The class and trip horse, looks poised to follow Appleby’s winning script.

One Stripe (#3) – Strong international closer, Motion/Velazquez a deadly combo.

My Boy Prince (#6) – Best of the locals, tactical and tough enough to secure a board spot.

Note to Readers:
The wagering strategies below are simply suggestions based on how the race projects. Everyone has their own comfort level, so the key is to play within your means. Whether it’s a win bet, an exacta, or a small trifecta, adjust the amounts to what feels right for you — nothing here is rigid or set in stone.

Win Bet: Notable Speech (#2), if 2/1 or higher If lower, shift focus to exotics

Exacta: Exacta Savers: 2,3 over 6,9 (My Boy Prince / Gas Me Up)

Trifecta: 2,3 over 2,3,6,9 over 2,3,5,6,8,9 2 over 3,6,9 over 3,5,6,8,9

Superfecta: 2,3 over 2,3,6,9 over 2,3,5,6,8,9 over 1,5,6,8,9

Closing Thought: However you decide to play it, the Woodbine Mile always delivers high drama and a glimpse of future Breeders’ Cup stars — making it one of the most compelling days on the turf calendar.

Good luck and as always, enjoy the race!