September 11, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Means Even More
The path to November’s Breeders’ Cup runs through the $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1T), Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
Of the nine hopefuls vying for the top prize and an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T), one has an extra source of motivation.
Win for the Money, last year’s Woodbine Mile champion, returns amidst a five-race winless streak to defend his crown.
While trending in the right direction with a pair of thirds in the Fourstardave (G1T) and Kelso (G3T), the Mark Casse charge faces an uphill battle as the board’s fourth choice (8-1).
Slotted into post eight, Win for the Money sports a 5-5-4 line across 21 lifetime starts ($970,197).
Fast Lane
Fresh off a 1 ½-length victory in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes, Corsia Veloce is ready to take things up a notch in Saturday’s $500,000 Natalma (G1T) at Woodbine.
Riding into the 1-mile affair on a high note after striking gold at 11-1 last time out, Corsia Veloce, like her nine contemporaries in the Natalma, can book a spot in November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.
Unbeaten through two starts after debuting on July 6 at Woodbine, the Josie Carroll trainee, at 8-1, will contest her first graded stakes from post one.
Never-Ending Summer
Casson gave it his all but came up 1 ½-lengths short of the leader in last month’s bet365 Victoria Stakes to suffer his first defeat.
Now, rested and raring to go, the 2-year-old colt has his sights set on the top spot in Saturday’s $500,000 bet365 Summer (G1T) at Woodbine.
The third Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race on Woodbine’s Turf Champions Day card awards the winner an entry into the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).
Casson, who scored in his professional debut on May 11 and two months later in the Victoria Stakes, still has some work to do, opening at 10-1.
Mogul of Consistency
Alpine Princess has been as consistent as they come through 15 career starts, hitting the board in 12 (5-3-4).
On Saturday, the three-time stakes winner will rely on her natural instincts to rise above the competition in the $400,00 Locust Grove (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Returning to Louisville, Kentucky oval for second time in four starts, the Brad Cox charge’s last visit resulted in a third in the Shawnee (G3).
Alpine Princess has taken a run at graded trophies on five other occasions, with her best efforts coming in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and Grade 3 Comely (third).
The 4-year-old filly enters the Locust Grove as the 2-1 second choice.
Distinguished Demeanor
Comport has conducted himself with nothing but class thus far in his career, finding the winner’s circle in two of three starts, including the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes last time out.
The 2-year-old Eddie Kenneally trainee will try to climb the ladder once more, this Saturday, in the $300,000 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.
A two-length victor in his stakes debut, Comport and rider Tyler Gaffalione will stretch out from seven furlongs in the Ellis Park Juvenile to 1 mile for the Iroquois.
The pair worked their magic against a smaller contingent of four opponents but face a deeper group of nine on Saturday.
Despite the uptick in distance and competition, Comport opens as the early 6-5 favorite.