The last time world-class trainer CHARLIE APPLEBY was at Woodbine he sent out three Grade 1 winners on one weekend. That was last year when Walton Street won the Canadian International, Albahr won the Summer and Wild Beauty won the Natalma.

All three were from the giant Godolphin stable and all three were favoured with Frankie Dettori riding.

It looks as if the Appleby stable will be fully loaded again for a big Woodbine weekend as Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner MODERN GAMES, Group 3 winning 2-year-old colt MYSTERIOUS NIGHT, and Group 3 winning 2-year-old filly FAIRY CROSS will take part in the Woodbine Mile, Summer, and Natalma, respectively, on Sept. 17 and 18.

The last time Modern Games (Ire) was in North America he was the scintillating winner at Del Mar at the Breeders’ Cup as the heavy favourite. But most bettors and fans on track were left empty-handed as the colt was scratched at the gate, and then allowed to run for purse money only when it was thought the colt had reared up the gate when his stablemate Albahr flipped beside him.

Upon review of available videos showing the horses in the gate prior to the start of the race, the CHRB has determined that #1 Modern Games (IRE) did not rear up in the gate, as was initially reported to the CHRB by the veterinarians at the gate. The starter and assistant starter took protective steps by leading the horse out of the front of the gate. The horse did not break through the gate on its own, as was originally thought.

Bettors with Modern Games on pick 3s, 4s, etc. got the post time favourite, Dakota Gold, who ended up fifth. Boos rained down from the stands as Modern Games retired to the winner’s circle.

It has been a more joyful year for backers of Modern Games in 2022 as the Dubawi colt won the Polue D’Essai de Poulains (G1) at Longchamp in his season opener.

Most recently Modern Games was second to the unbeaten superhorse BAAEED in the Sussex Stakes (G1) (see below).

Who Modern Games may face in the Woodbine Mile is up in the air but will likely include a litany of locals including King Edward (G2) winner FILO DI ARIANNA, King Edward runner-up HARLAN ESTATE, 2020 Mile runner-up MARCH TO THE ARCH, 2 time Horse of the Year MIGHTY HEART, SHIRL’S SPEIGHT and last year’s upset Mile winner TOWN CRUISE.

 

Below are recent races from Mysterious Night and Fairy Cross:

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Charlie Appleby, Godolphin, Modern Games, Ricoh Woodbine Mile, Woodbine 2022,

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