The 27th edition of the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1) has lured 18 nominations for the September 16 race, a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. The Mile is a well-known stepping-stone to the Breeders’ Cup and last year it was won by the brilliant Modern Games who went on to Breeders’ Cup glory.
From the same barn as Modern Games is MASTER OF THE SEAS (Ire), a 5-year-old gelding by Dubawi and one of the highest-rated milers overseas. The Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin horse comes off a win on July 15 in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot at 5 to 1. In the winter Master of the Seas won the Group 2 Zabeel Mile off a nine-month layoff. In 2021 the gelding was a Group 3 winner and beaten a nose in the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas.
Considering Appleby’s success at Woodbine with Godolphin runners in the last few years it can be expected that Master of the Seas is scheduled to come to the Mile.
Also nominated is the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner VICTORIA ROAD, trained by Aidan O’Brien, although that colt is also nominated to several Group races in the next few weeks.
New York-based trainer CHAD BROWN has nominated seven horses to the Mile although Carl Spackler just won the Saranac Stakes at Saratoga last week. The most notable of his nominees is the front-running mare In Italian.
The top four finishers in Woodbine’s King Edward Stakes on Aug. 19 are likely starters. WAR BOMBER, TREASON, LUCKY SCORE and Grade 1 winner SHIRL’S SPEIGHT are contenders. Trainer Mark Casse is keen on ICE CHOCOLAT (Brz) who seeks his first stakes win in the Mile. The Brazilian-bred is a two-time winner on the Woodbine turf in sprints but the dark bay has been in an improving mode in 2023 and he was recently a troubled third beaten 1 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Fourstardave Stakes at Saratoga.
The nominees:
ACTIVIST INVESTING (GB)
b.c.3 by Kingman (GB)(Invincible Spirit (IRE)) – Astronomy’s Choice (GB)(Redoute’s Choice (AUS))
Klaravich Stables, Inc. Chad C. Brown
ANACONDA
dk b/.h.6 by Pioneerof the Nile(Empire Maker) – Lawn Party(Medaglia d’Oro)
Three Diamonds Farm Joe Sharp
x -CARL SPACKLER (IRE) – raced Sept. 1
ch.c.3 by Lope de Vega (IRE)(Shamardal) – Zindaya(More Than Ready)
e Five Racing Thoroughbreds Chad C. Brown
EMARAATY (GB)
dk b/.g.8 by Dubawi (IRE)(Dubai Millennium (GB)) – Zee Zee Top (GB)(Zafonic)
Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC and Michael J. Caruso Chad C. Brown
ICE CHOCOLAT (BRZ)
dk b/.g.5 by Goldikovic (IRE)(Galileo (IRE)) – Amor Chocolat (BRZ)(Northern Afleet)
Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch Mark E. Casse
IN ITALIAN (GB)
ch.m.5 by Dubawi (IRE)(Dubai Millennium (GB)) – Florentina (AUS)(Redoute’s Choice (AUS))
Peter M. Brant Chad C. Brown
JAMES ALOYSIUS
dk b/.c.4 by More Than Ready(Southern Halo) – Olorda (GER)(Lord of England (GER))
West Paces Racing LLC Danny Gargan
LUCKY SCORE
b.g.5 by Lookin At Lucky(Smart Strike) – Miss Matzo(Royal Academy)
Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Pantofel Stable, LLC. Mark E. Casse
MASTER OF THE SEAS (IRE)
b.g.5 by Dubawi (IRE)(Dubai Millennium (GB)) – Firth of Lorne (IRE)(Danehill)
Godolphin LLC Charles Appleby
PROGRAM TRADING (GB)
b.r.3 by Lope de Vega (IRE)(Shamardal) – Dreamlike (GB)(Oasis Dream (GB))
Klaravich Stables, Inc. Chad C. Brown
SET PIECE (GB)
dk b/.g.7 by Dansili (GB)(Danehill) – Portodora(Kingmambo)
Juddmonte Farms Brad H. Cox
SHIRL’S SPEIGHT
b.h.6 by Speightstown(Gone West) – Perfect Shirl(Perfect Soul (IRE))
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL (FR)
b.m.6 by Wootton Bassett (GB)(Iffraaj (GB)) – Moranda (FR)(Indian Rocket (GB))
Peter M. Brant Chad C. Brown
x -STITCHED (raced Sept. 2)
b.c.4 by Mizzen Mast(Cozzene) – Walking Miracle(Into Mischief)
McCauley, Nathan, Olszewski, Michael W. and Minton, William J. Gregory D. Foley
TREASON
b.g.5 by Constitution(Tapit) – Cougarstown(Speightstown)
LNJ Foxwoods and MSK Racing Ventures, LLC Josie Carroll
VICTORIA ROAD (IRE)
b.c.3 by Saxon Warrior (JPN)(Deep Impact (JPN)) – Tickled Pink (IRE)(Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith Aidan P. O’Brien
WAR BOMBER (IRE)
b.g.5 by War Front(Danzig) – Sun Shower (IRE)(Indian Ridge (IRE))
Bruno Schickedanz Norman McKnight
WHITEBEAM (GB)
gr/ro.f.4 by Caravaggio(Scat Daddy) – Sleep Walk (GB)(Oasis Dream (GB))
Juddmonte Farms Chad C. Brown
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