Fast Pace Expected in Grade 1 Canada Mile
The only thing for sure about Saturday’s Grade 1 CANADA MILE is that the pace is expected to be fast with a large group of frontrunners included in the 12-horse field. To add even more intrigue, it is expected to rain, resulting in a track labeled as good. Many of these milers are untested on an off track, so it will be a matter of which horse takes to the soft going. Npark’s Pride and Silent and Smooth have been installed as the morning line co-favorites at odds of 5/1.
Meet the field:
1. CHRISTMAS CHEER (9/1) – This Johannesburg colt takes a big jump up in class here as he seeks his first graded win, but is coming off of a nice front-running victory in an ungraded stakes race where he earned a 107 speed rating for 8.5 furlongs. Trained by Bradyboy, the 4yo has shown he can rate in the past and he seems to be able to handle a softer course.
2. MORTYS CLANTATI (13/1) – This Grade 1-winning son of Stormy Atlantic was brilliant as a 3yo and trainer Rrlogan is trying to get him back on track as a 4yo. His last graded win came in April in the Grade 2 ARCADE HANDICAP, which earned him a speed rating of 108. Since then, he has been unable to hit the board in 5 tries. This colt is dangerous if he grabs the lead, but has never raced on an off track, so whether or not he takes to it remains a mystery.
3. NPARK’S PRIDE (5/1) – This 5yo loves to come flying from way off the pace and finished fourth in this race last year. Trainer Maple6337 likely is not worried about the off track since this son of Vindication seems to handle softer going just fine (2 wins and 2 shows in 4 attempts on off tracks). Installed as the morning line co-favorite, he just missed in his last while finishing second in the Grade 2 FRIED RICE MILE in Japan, earning a speed figure of 114. With tons of speed in the race, things could set up well for this closer.
4. THIS TIME (10/1) – Trainer Eddington recently switched this Gilded Time colt to the turf and the 4yo has responded well, winning an ungraded stakes race and then showing in the Grade 2 JACK THE MAN STAKES last out. This will be his first attempt on an off turf course and also his first attempt in Grade 1 company. He typically comes from off the pace.
5. GOOD SAMARITAN (19/1) – This 5yo may be the longest shot in the field, but the off track plays right into trainer Brian215’s plan. This son of Peintre Celebre is a perfect 6 for 6 over good and yielding turf courses including a Grade 2 win in THE DELTA REPUBLIC back in May. This mile distance will be his shortest attempt this year and most of his wins have been at 9 furlongs or more. He has won from both off the pace and on the lead.
6. SUMTER (9/1) – This Grade 2-winning son of Storm Cat loves to lead the way, but has faded badly in his last three races. His last win was in the Grade 2 PREMIUM STAKES in May where he earned a 109 speed figure for the 8 furlongs. Expect the 4yo to be fighting for the lead in the early stages. The colt is trained by Malekfarms.
7. SILENT AND SMOOTH (5/1) – Morning line co-favorite comes into this race off two straight graded wins, the last coming in the Grade 2 FIVESTARNICK HANDICAP. By Shamardal, the 5yo stalked the pace and won comfortably with a speed rating of 111 for the 8.5 furlongs. Trainer Finalfix2 has given him some extra rest since then and he comes into this race fresh. The off track should not bother him since he has won 2 of 3 starts on off tracks (including a Grade 3).
8. BRABANTIO (6/1) – This 4yo has put in some good efforts this year, including a third-place finish in the Grade 2 DEL WEB MILE in his last race where he earned a solid speed figure of 111. The only concern for the Shakespeare colt is that he did not seem to care for an off track in his one attempt on that type of surface. Trained by Icbomber2, he likes to be either on or near the pace.
9. VICTORY MONEY (14/1)– This Authorized colt has had a bit of a rough year, only reaching the winner’s circle once in 2010 in an allowance race back in February. He finished fourth in the Grade 1 WINDY CITY TURF CLASSIC last out, earning a speed rating of 108 for the 10 furlongs. He is cutting back a bit in distance here and will likely be near the lead. Trained by Tips, the 4yo has not attempted an off track before.
10. SPIRIT RISING (12/1) – This son of Ghostzapper nearly always puts in a solid effort, but has trouble finding the winner’s circle if he doesn’t get the lead. The 5yo was second in an allowance race last time out and has not run on an off track before. Trainer Shadier is hoping to pull off an upset and has likely instructed jockey M. Ritchie to charge straight to the front.
11. VENI VIDI VISA (6/1) – By Kitten’s Joy, this 5yo is coming off a strong win in the Grade 3 DESMOND. After leading every step of the way, he gutted it out to win by a head, earning a speed rating of 112 in the process. Trainer Mgfarms is likely aiming this guy toward another attempt in the Breeder’s Bowl Mile. If he runs back to his last, he should have a shot. He has no experience on off tracks, but gets top jockey B. Renfroe for the attempt.
12. SLEWKEPTALLVOWS (7/1) – This extremely consistent son of Broken Vow has won two in a row, including the Grade 1 SUFFIX last time out with a speed rating of 112. He also loves the lead and trainer Romeshome will be hoping that the 5yo’s tendency to break quickly will give him an advantage over the rest of the speed in the race. Like several others in the race, this guy has not tried an off track before.