Woodbine's top turf races have proved quite the tempting target for international raiders, including those looking ahead to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, and the Sept. 13 renewal of the Woodbine Mile (G1T) certainly promises more of the same.
The nine-horse field includes runners from as far afield as England and South Africa, along with a pair of likely candidates handled by local ace trainer Mark Casse. All are chasing not only the purse money but also a "Win and You're In" Challenge spot in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is well versed in the Woodbine Mile-to-Breeders' Cup route and looks to turn the trick for a third time when he saddles Notable Speech. At his best, the 4-year-old Dubawi colt has been among the best, winning the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket and the Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood as highlights of his 3-year-old season.
After a fifth-place finish in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) in Paris, Notable Speech wrapped up 2024 finishing third, beaten just 3/4 lengths, in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The 4-year-old season has been a puzzle as Notable Speech turned in decent runs in three straight group 1 events while finishing fourth, fourth, and fifth. He then turned things around in his last start, finishing second in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville, just a head back.
"As is typical of his sire, from a physical aspect, he looks much stronger this year," Appleby said of Notable Speech, per Woodbine's publicity staff. "I think this horse always puts his best foot forward but needs things to fall right for him on the day."
Appleby said the Deauville effort showed the colt retains his enthusiasm but noted, "He prefers there to be decent pace as we saw when he won the Guineas and the Sussex Stakes."
Appleby saddled Modern Games to victory in the 2022 Woodbine Mile and the Breeders' Cup Mile and Master of the Seas turned the same double for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's crew in 2023.
The South African invader is One Stripe, a One World colt out of a Silvano mare. One Stripe exited South Africa, thanks to the newly relaxed export protocols, this spring with a record of six wins from nine starts.
One Stripe now is with trainer Graham Motion, who has had significant success with an earlier shipment of South African horses who have been holding their own in North America. That string includes Gimme a Nother, who won the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Sept. 6 at Del Mar, and Beach Bomb, who has hit the board in five of eight starts in the United States, all graded stakes.
The local brigade is headed by Win for the Money, last year's Woodbine Mile winner. The 6-year-old Mohaymen gelding was a long shot that day a year ago and has not won in five intervening starts, albeit against top company. He finished 10th in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Mile and comes off a pair of third-place finishes at Saratoga, both in grade I events.
"I don't know if he has given his very best," Casse said of Win for the Money. "But he is coming in now in his third (race) of the cycle. A lot of the big handicappers will tell you the third one off the layoff is their best. That's what we are looking for."
Casse also brings 2024 King's Plate runner-up My Boy Prince back north from Saratoga Race Course. He made the same trip in June to finish second to Patches O'Houlihan in the Highlander (G2T) and the trainer said he thinks things are falling right for him in the return engagement.
"He's been running against the best," Casse said. "I think he is really going to like the inner turf. He's very good on sharp turns. If he puts in a good effort, he is going to be tough. Everybody is going to need a good trip."
The 4-year-old Cairo Prince gelding was sixth in the 2024 Mile.
Stanley House has done most of his work on the Woodbine all-weather course but has a win and a second from two starts on the local grass. Gas Me Up and Wyoming Bill finished 1-2 in the local King Edward Stakes (G2T) in their last start and both seem to be improving quickly.
Woodbine, Saturday, September 13, 2025, Race 9Entries: Rogers Woodbine Mile S. (G1T)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Stanley House (ON) Leo Salles 122 Michael P. De Paulo 10/1 2 2Notable Speech (GB) William Buick 124 Charles Appleby 8/5 3 3One Stripe (SAF) John R. Velazquez 126 H. Graham Motion 5/2 4 4Hunt Master (ON) Eswan Flores 122 Martin Hinckson 20/1 5 5Wyoming Bill (ON) Lanfranco Dettori 122 Catherine Day Phillips 15/1 6 6My Boy Prince (ON) Joel Rosario 122 Mark E. Casse 10/1 7 7Naptown (ON) Victor R. Carrasco 122 Jose J. Magana 20/1 8 8Win for the Money (KY) Patrick Husbands 124 Mark E. Casse 8/1 9 9Gas Me Up (ON) Flavien Prat 124 Kevin Attard 5/1
