The Woodbine Mile is my favourite race of the year, and this quality field certainly doesn’t disappoint. We have the international flair, along with the return of Gas Me Up and Irish Aces, who were whiskers apart at the wire with Piper’s Factor in the local prep for this race – the G2 King Edward. The best part is the return of the event to the E.P. Taylor turf where fans get the best vantage point of the horses coming down the lane vying for the illustrious G1 title and a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” spot at Keeneland. Here is how I am looking at things: Woodbine Mile Race #9 Top Selection: #3 Notable Speech 1-1 “He is the class of the class and looks primed to defend his 2025 title arriving here off a recent confidence-boosting victory in a Group 1 at York. Last year’s champion has an eye-catching, ridiculous turn of foot, and should relish the longer stretch of the E.P. Taylor course as last year this race was contested on the inner. “Appleby/Godolphin/Buick own this race taking three out of the last four runnings, fellow stablemates Master of the Seas in 2023 and Sea the Stars in 2022. I am all for taking shots against favourites as we all know – but not this time as he will be very tough to beat.” Wildcard: #4 Archivist 6-1 “4-year-old Dubawi gelding has been in incredible form as of late easily winning a Group 3 at York by a widening 7 lengths – which happened to be on the same day as Notable Speech. Maybe this guy is peaking at the right time, and he certainly has an impressive closing kick. He cuts back in distance to this one-turn mile and should appreciate getting a firm turf course where has had good results. “These connections won the G3 Singspiel last year with Haunted Dream, and the Canadian International with Silawi, so they must have confidence in this fella to ship him over here. Also worth noting – they have enlisted world-renowned jockey “Magic Man” Moriera to ride.” Archivist. Michael Burns Photography Longshot Play: #5 Irish Aces 15-1 Brendan Walsh trainee has had some really unfortunate racing luck finishing on the wrong side of a whisker photo in the G2 King Edward in the place position, which was after a troubled runner-up finish in the G2 Connaught Cup. Now, he gets a crack at the one-turn outer turf course which may just be the trick for this hard-trying fella. Granted, he will need his best against the quality Euro shippers, but if anyone has good karma coming around – it’s him. He does remove Lasix to compete here and Pietro Moran won the G2 Canadian for this trainer with Proctor Street. The Play – $5 exacta 3/4 and $5 Daily Double into the EP Taylor 3/3,4,8 = $20 Good luck and safe trips for all. Share This:Share
