September 12, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Three’s Company
For all the talk around Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a potential Kansas City Chiefs threepeat, there’s another powerhouse trio with a shot at history this weekend.
On Saturday, jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby, and owner Godolphin can become the first set of teammates to win the $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1T) three years in a row.
After finding success with Modern Games in 2022 and Master of The Seas in ’23, the two-time defending champions will send out even-money choice Naval Power (GB).
Sporting a stellar 6-2-0 line through nine starts, including a pair of seconds in two Grade 1 attempts on North American soil (Maker’s Mile and Bourbon Turf Classic), the 4-year-old gelding can rewrite the record books with his first graded tally.
Jockey John Velasquez, trainer Charles Lopresti, and owner Morton Fink are the only other connections to win consecutive Woodbine Miles (2012 and 2013 with Wise Dan).
Turf and Turf
Woodbine’s electrifying Turf Champions Day festivities charge on with the $750,000 E.P. Taylor (G1T).
The 1 ¼-mile tilt returns familiar faces in reigning champion Fev Rover (IRE) (7-2) and fan favourite Moira (7-5), who finished third in last year’s running.
It’s been tough sledding for the former since the 2 ¼-length triumph last August, as the 6-year-old mare has been held winless through four starts. However, Fev Rover began to show signs of life with back-to-back seconds in the Nassau (G2T) and Beverly D. (G2).
Moira has fared well in her three subsequent starts, compiling a 1-1-1 line. The Kevin Attard trainee’s lone win came in the aforementioned Beverly D. by a head over Fev Rover.
Turf Champions Day rounds out with the $500,000 Summer (G1T) and $500,000 Natalma (G1T).
Winners of the Summer, Natalma, and Woodbine Mile clinch a spot in this year’s Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
Still Everyone’s Favourite
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Shotgun Hottie through six starts in 2024.
The Jose Ortiz mount stumbled out of the gate with a sixth and two fourths before finding her footing in the DuPoint Distaff in start number four.
She then rattled off consecutive seconds in her two most recent starts (Grade 2 Fleur de Lis and Grade 2 Shuvee), despite closing as the 7-5 choice in the latter.
The 5-year-old mare is set to reprise her role as favourite (2-1) in this Saturday’s $400,000 Locust Grove (G2) at Churchill Downs, but with a different outcome in mind.
While the graded stakes winner (Grade 3 Molly Pitcher) is trending in the right direction, she will need to outduel 7-2 foe Free Like a Girl (41: 18-11-6) and 9-2 hopeful Taxed (16: 4-3-2) to secure multiple graded stakes winner status.
Double Deutsch
Following the likes of German greats Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks, NBA) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire, MLS), Lady Mary (GER) made the 6,000-plus KM trip across the Atlantic to showcase her talents in North America.
The 3-year-old filly will make her first start beyond her home circuit when she contests the $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks (G3T) on Saturday at Aqueduct.
Although one win through eight starts isn’t ideal on paper, it doesn’t accurately reflect who Lady Mary is.
The driven Jack Sisterson trainee is almost always in the mix, having only landed outside of the top three once (8: 1-3-3 lifetime line).
In other words, don’t discount Lady Mary on Saturday.
Value Pack
With a field of 14 2-year-old’s set to contest one mile, good luck finding a race with a wider range of outcomes than Saturday’s $300,000 Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs.
The top four contestants by opening line odds, Stilettos (4-1), Kimchi Cat (9-2), Strong State (5-1), and La Cara (5-1), are nearly indistinguishable.
But we can help with that.
The two leading choices, Stilettos (Ellis Park Debutante) and Kimchi Cat (Bolton Landing), are both stakes winners.
The two 5-1 options, Strong State and La Cara, have only one combined appearance at the stakes level. Strong State finished fourth in the Spinaway (G1) on Aug. 31.
Great value is by no means in short supply in the Pocahontas.
