ICYMI: Breeders’ Cup Tickets Punched as Woodbine Stars During Heavyweight Weekend

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Yearly Getaway

Owner Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby punched their ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) for the third time in four years after winning Saturday’s $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1T) with Notable Speech (GB).

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, Notable Speech rebounded from a trying start to deliver on his lofty billing with a strong 1 ¾-length victory.

The 4-year-old colt will now take a second run at the Breeders’ Cup Mile after finishing third as the 2-1 choice in last year’s edition.

Notable Speech’s first triumph on North American soil (second start) paid $2.80.

Soaring Stock

Corsia Veloce continued her rapid ascent Saturday at Woodbine, taking home the $500,000 Natalma (G1T) to remain unbeaten through starts to begin her career.

Occupying post 1, the Jose Carroll charge settled behind the leaders on the inside before maneuvering her way into striking distance and fighting valiantly for the half-length decision.

The brilliant Natalma effort at 12-1 followed a 1 ½-length tally in August’s Catch A Glimpse Stakes at 11-1 for the rookie sensation.

Corsia Veloce’s latest and most memorable success, which booked her ticket to October’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), paid $26.50.

Heck of a Summer

A third in last month’s bet365 Soaring Free Stakes gave Argos all the confidence he needed going into Saturday’s $500,000 Summer (G1T) at Woodbine.

Touching down at 6-1, Argos faced early traffic on the inside and found himself hovering around the middle of the 10-horse pack late into the 1-mile turf test.

Under the steady hand of rider Flavien Prat, the 2-year-old colt advanced to take the lead at the sixteenth pole and did just enough to hold off hard charging 1.65 favorite Wild Desert (IRE) by a head.

Argos’ second win, which locked him into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) Oct. 31 at Del Mar, paid $15.70.

R&R

Royal Spa joined the millionaires club on Saturday after claiming the $400,000 Locust Grove (G2) in front-leading fashion.

Heading into the 1 1/16-mile dash about $150,000 shy from reaching the seven-figure milestone, Royal Spa had no trouble cashing in at Churchill Downs for the second time this season.

The Rodolphe Brisset charge locked down her first graded conquest in May’s Suwanee (G3) as a 13-1 dart throw – the opposite of her dazzling Locust Grove triumph at 1.31.

Now a multiple graded stakes winning millionaire, Royal Spa paid $4.62.

Quite the Melange

Spice Runner brought the right blend of patience and tenacity to win Saturday’s $300,000 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Entering the 1-mile contest off a runner-up effort in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes, Spice Runner closed as the third choice in the field of 10 at 5-1.

However, the Steve Asmuseen trainee was happy to defy the odds.

Spice Runner successfully tracked down and outlasted 6-5 favorite Comport by a head to capture his first graded stakes trophy.

Working with veteran rider Jose Ortiz, Spice Runner paid $12.38.