Horse Betting World

Horses from Around the World come to Woodbine on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup

By Aaron Huber

This year’s edition of the Woodbine Mile features an explosive cast of top name horses from the US, Europe, and Canada. In addition to the $1,000,000 dollar purse up for grabs, each horse’s connections are looking to use this race as a springboard for getting to the Breeders’ Cup in November. The Woodbine Mile is a win and you’re in race for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Even for a grade I race, the field here is unusually deep and experienced. The following are some key horses to look out for on the tote board this Sunday.

4 – Court Vision (7-2)

Court Vision is by far the most accomplished horse in the entire field. He would easily have been the morning line favorite if he was not coming off of a three month layoff. This five-year-old horse is the epitome of a grade I contender, and will be making his 11th consecutive grade I appearance here. Even though he disappointed his fans with a lackluster performance last time out in the Manhattan Handicap in June at Belmont Park, he should be ready to fire again after a well deserved rest. Earlier in the year Court Vision hit the board in grade I events at Churchill and Keeneland and was placed 1st though disqualification in the Gulfstream Park Handicap. Court Vision has a significantly better race record running at a distance of one mile. He may very well benefit from this race’s structure as a one-turn mile and show up in the winner’s circle.

11 – The Usual Q.T. (3-1)

Shipping in from California is one of the West Cost’s hottest turf runners, the Usual Q.T. His only venture out of his regular territory was a fourth place finish in this year’s Dubai Duty Free. In 2009 he won six in a row including the Oak Tree Derby and Hollywood Derby. This year he is an impressive three for five including a win in the Eddie Read over the turf at Del Mar. In that race he made a four wide bid going around the stretch to be clear by two lengths at the wire. In his last start, his connections may have jumped the gun switching him to the All Weather synthetic surface at Del Mar in the Pacific Classic. The Usual Q.T. didn’t like the surface and finished a lackluster fifth. A return to the grass here in the Woodbine Mile is the perfect race for the Usual Q.T. to come back and claim another grade I victory.

12 – Famous Name (6-1)

Coming all the way from Great Britain, this Juddmonte Farms’ colt has been working towards the Breeders’ Cup all year long. If all goes well in the Woodbine Mile, he could be a top selection if he makes it to Churchill Downs in November. His last start was in the prestigious group I Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in Ireland. Even though he was just good enough that day to finish dead last he was running in a compact field of six that included Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over two horses that could demolish this Woodbine Mile field. He won his three previous starts before the Tattersalls at short prices including two races at a distance of one-mile. Famous Name could be overlooked on the tote board because he is less known the North American bettors, but should be a live one while cutting back to his favorite distance.

13 – Grand Adventure (8-1)

The only local Woodbine based horse who is under 20-1 on the morning line is Grand Adventure. He has the distinct advantage of knowing what it takes to win a graded stake race over the turf course at Woodbine. His last few workouts have been phenomenal including a bullet on September 4th when he was clocked going five furlongs in one minute flat to be the best of 80 horses that day. His last work was even faster going the same five panels in 59 3/5. The best race of his career was back in June at the same distance of one-mile over the grass at Woodbine in the grade II King Edward. He beat 2008 Woodbine Mile winner Rahy’s Attorney that day as well as many other top turf runners. If Grand Adventure is anywhere near 8-1 consider him as a live long shot play.