Notable Contenders vie in Grade 1 Woodbine Mile
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!
