Qatar Racing’s Trade Storm, masterfully ridden by Jamie Spencer, powered his way to the front in deep stretch to claim the Grade 1, $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile, a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ event, Sunday at Woodbine.
At the finish of the 18th edition of the turf classic, Trade Storm had emerged a half-length winner over a closing Kaigun, with pacesetter Bobby’s Kitten gamely hanging on for third, while timed in 1:36.87 over the ‘good’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
The victory capped a perfect day for trainer David Simcock, who earlier on the card won the $300,000 Grade 1 Northern Dancer with Sheikhzayedroad, who was making his North American debut. Not so for Trade Storm, who had finished third to champion Wise Dan in last year’s Mile.
In the Mile, the British-bred six-year-old son of Trade Fair won his first race in seven starts this year. The victory was his sixth in 34 life outings while campaigning around the world. Now, he’ll go to California to contest the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile, Saturday, November 1, since his victory earned his connections an all-expenses paid (travel and entry fees) trip.
“He settled well off a strong pace,” said Spencer, who is planning to retire at the end of the season and take a management position with Qatar Racing. “I felt confidence in the horse that he was always going to pick up. I’ve ridden the horse for the last 18 months. Sheikh Fahad picked him out himself when he won in Dubai one night and bought him. He is reaping dividends now and he’s won quite a bit of prize money in the last two years.
“Obviously the ground was a little softer than ideal for him but we didn’t have Wise Dan to contend with. So it looked a good spot for him. The trainer, he’s brought two horses here tonight and both of them have won, it’s a happy ending.”
Bobby’s Kitten, the only three-year-old in the field of 11, went immediately to the front, while being dogged by longshot Ancil, through a quarter in :23.97, the half in :47.52 and six furlongs in 1:12.27. Jockey Joel Rosario still had Bobby’s Kitten in front at the eighth pole but sneaking up the fence was Trade Storm, who had been patiently placed in ninth on the rail for most of the trip earlier by Spencer.
Spencer and Trade Storm were behind a wall of horses turning for home, tried to go outside, then ducked inside for a late charge. Trade Storm was then angled outside the leader late in the lane, struck front inside the sixteenth pole and was able to fend off a final charge by Kaigun and jockey Patrick Husbands for the thrilling win.
Bobby’s Kitten was only a length and three-quarters further back in third, and a head in front of fourth-place finisher River Seven, with Grand Arch fifth.
“That’s special, that one,” said Simcock. “I mean they’re both special but he’s really one of my favourites of all time out of all the horses I’ve trained. It’s been frustrating with him sometimes, but even when he gets beat I adore the horse massively, so it’s a really special result. I think it is special for the jockey as well.
“He’ll probably take up ‘the win and he’s in (re Breeders’ Cup) and go down to Santa Anita and enjoy himself and see how we get on. He’ll get his fast ground, which suits a fairly strong pace. It will probably be a tougher race, but he is in excellent order and he never disgraces himself. When there’s a lot of pace into the race, he travels very strongly into it and he’s got a nice pick up. All he needed was the gaps and he maneuvered his way through.”
For the veteran Spencer, it was his first Mile win after two previous near misses. He finished second aboard Arkadian Hero, a nose behind winner Riviera, in the 2000 edition after being left at the gate and spotting the field eight lengths. In 2011, he rode Dance And Dance to a troubled sixth-place finish, beaten less than two lengths by winner Turallure.
“The horse was stumbling throughout the whole backside,” said Husbands, about Kaigun. “Every two strides he was pitching, pitching, pitching. I was holding him together. When we swung for home, it’s like ‘How much is he going to win by’ but he would not run. So as the English horse (Trade Storm) came up on the inside and passed him, he decided to run. The winner was fantastic. He ran a big race. But I’m still in shock with my horse.”
Jack Milton, who went postward a slight 7-2 choice, never threatened, finishing ninth.
Trade Storm, who earned $600,000 for the win, paid $11.10, $6.20 and $4.40, combining with Kaigun ($4.80, $3.40) for a $53.30 (2-5) exactor. A 2-5-8 (Bobby’s Kitten, $6.10) triactor returned $365 while a $1 Superfecta [2-5-8-1 (River Seven)] was worth $2,261.70.
The mutuel handle was a record $7,004,235 for the Ricoh Woodbine Mile card.
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