The fields for two of Woodbine major Grade 1 turf races will move closer to taking shape on Wednesday, when post position draws for the WOODBINE MILE and E.P. TAYLOR STAKES will take place.
Woodbine Entertainment will stream the draws live at noon through Woodbine.com and its YouTube channel. The positions will be determined ahead of Turf Champions Day, which will take place at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, September 12.
The $1 million WOODBINE MILE will be contested over one mile on the turf, while the $750,000 E.P. TAYLOR STAKES will cover 1 1/4 miles for fillies and mares aged three and upward. Both races will carry Grade 1 status and will form part of a programme with significant international representation.
International names figure in Woodbine Mile field
The WOODBINE MILE will bring together a field with representation from several leading racing connections.
Archivist will be trained by Hamad Al Jehani and will have Joao Moreira aboard, while Deterministic will represent Miguel Clement with Kendrick Carmouche named to ride. Gas Me Up will come from the Kevin Attard stable with Fraser Aebly aboard.
Irish Aces will be trained by Brendan Walsh with Pietro Moran aboard, while Itsastormymonday will represent Don MacRae with Rafael Hernandez named to ride.
Notable Speech will add an international dimension for trainer Charles Appleby, with William Buick booked for the ride. Pierre, trained by David Jacobson, will have Javier Castellano aboard as a supplementary entry.
Silius will complete the probable Woodbine Mile field, with Christophe Ferland listed as trainer and John Velazquez as jockey.
The combination of established names and international representation will give the race a competitive complexion, while Wednesday’s draw will determine the starting positions for each probable runner.
E.P. Taylor Stakes brings another strong group
The E.P. TAYLOR STAKES will also feature eight probable starters, including runners from several prominent international and North American stables.
Achieve will represent Mark Casse with Javier Castellano aboard, while Diamond Rain will come from the Charles Appleby stable with William Buick named to ride. Gimme a Nother will be trained by Graham Motion with John Velazquez in the saddle.
Jancis will represent Willie McCreery with Hector Berrios, while See The Fire will come from Andrew Balding’s stable with Rob Hornby aboard.
Somethinabouther will be trained by Brendan Walsh with Junior Alvarado named to ride, while Sultana will represent Kevin Attard with Umberto Rispoli aboard. Venetian Lace will complete the probable field for trainer Charlie Johnston, with Jamie Spencer booked to ride.
The 1 1/4-mile contest will bring together a mixture of experienced turf performers and international contenders. The draw will establish where each runner will begin Saturday’s Grade 1 assignment.
Turf Champions Day carries added significance
The two Grade 1 races will form part of Saturday’s Turf Champions Day programme, which will also include the Summer Stakes and Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes.
Both races will form part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series as “Win And You’re In” contests, alongside the WOODBINE MILE and E.P. TAYLOR STAKES.
The four races will mark the first time Woodbine’s Turf Champions Day will feature four Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races on the same programme. The arrangement will give the meeting an added international dimension, with opportunities for horses across different age groups to compete in races linked to the Breeders’ Cup.
The Summer Stakes and Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes will cater to two-year-olds, providing a platform for younger turf runners, while the Woodbine Mile and E.P. Taylor Stakes will bring more experienced horses into the programme.
The depth of the probable fields will also give the post position draws added relevance. Trainers and jockeys will learn where their runners will begin their respective races, while the public will get its first look at the confirmed starting positions ahead of Saturday.
For the connections involved in the WOODBINE MILE and E.P. TAYLOR STAKES, Wednesday’s draw will therefore mark an important point in preparations for Turf Champions Day.
The live broadcast will begin at noon, with the post positions to be revealed before the two Grade 1 contests take place at Woodbine on Saturday.
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