Woodbine Mile: Notes from the rail out

2017 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Field

1. World Approval – 7/2, Trainer: Mark Casse, Jockey: John Velazquez Notes: 0 for 2 at Woodbine, won his last start at 1 mile on the Saratoga inner over a yielding track. Leparoux stays home for this one.
2. Tower of Texas – 12/1, Trainer: Attfield, Jockey: Da Silva Notes: Runner-up, long-shot to female winner Tepin in ’16 running of this one. Was 7th in ’15 beaten by Mondialiste.
3. Long On Value – 15/1, Trainer: Mott, Jockey: Rosario, Notes: True sprinter will need the perfectly timed move to upset this one.
4. Best Bard – 50/1, Trainer: McKnight, Jockey: Hernandez, Notes: Has won 6 of 7 lifetime at WO for a meager $400K, claimed for $40K from last race and now goes against the ‘world.’
5. Dragon Bay – 20/1, Trainer: Simon, Jockey: Boulanger, Notes: Appears to be improving with age as he’s won two G2 from his last four including a very nice win in the Nijinsky setting the pace at 1 1/4 miles. He returned in defeat last time out in the Sky Classic going an extra 1/8. Those two back-to-back races set him up nicely for a good effort in this one.
6. Deauville – 5/2, Trainer: O’Brien, Jockey: Spencer, Notes: Looked like the winner in the Arlington Million last time out only to be caught late by Beach Patrol. He’s 1 for 3 in the U.S. at 1 1/4 miles and was beaten by Mondialiste in the ’16 running of the Million. Spencer in the saddle to make one run at a distance where he’s 0 for 3. No cinch.
7. Conquest Panthera – 12/1, Trainer: Casse, Jockey: Husbands, Notes: Runner is 2 of 2 at Woodbine including a G2 in last to get his highest Beyer. Likes it here but distance may be a little longer than he likes to go.
8. Mondialiste – 8/1, Trainer: O’Meara, Jockey: Ortiz, Notes: At 7, he’s one of the oldest runners in the field. But he’s made a couple of trips to the states over the years and has shown up nicely each time. Won this race in ’15 over a yielding track as a 5 year old. Won the Arlington Million in ’16. Gets Ortiz for the first time and needs to be into it early to have a shot.
9. Arod – 20/1, Trainer: Simcock, Jockey: Bentley, Notes: Interesting in that he’s finished 10th, 19th, and 16th in his last three starts “down under.” Was 5th beaten just two lengths by Tepin in this one last year so gotta think Lasix helps, but Tower of Texas is in here too.
10. Lancaster Bomber – 9/2, Trainer: O’Brien, Jockey: Lordan, Notes: Was second in the BC Juvenile Turf last time he was sent out in the states by O’Brien. And of course, he got Lasix which he’ll have again today. Still NW2 lifetime eligible but must respect this youngster.
11. Dutch Connection – 6/1, Trainer: Hills, Jockey: Barzalona, Notes: Twice sent out in the states to no avail. And neither time did they try Lasix. But he’ll get it this time. Will it have any affect? Nothing but graded stakes races on his chart over the past two years. 0 for 9 at the distance. Ouch!
12. Glenville Gardens – 20/1, Trainer: Attard, Jockey: Contreras, Notes: Woodbine is his backyard but Tower of Texas has his number.

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