September 10, 2015

There is very little about the Grade I WO Mile that I have not already said in covering two past editions and this year, the race takes on an added significant in real-life with the retirement of Wise Dan, the duel Horse Of The Year who would have been the favourite. Only one Horse Of The Year at HRP has ever taken victory in this $1,000.000 event, and that was Alpha Ultimo two years after his victory in the inaugural event, but a number of champions have won over the years including Charming Behrens and Seven Years, who was best over a star-studded field last year and is back to defend his title. Standing in his way are 10 of the best turf milers in the land including a number of Grade I winners this year and as a final prep for the BC Mile, it will serve as a true test to see who has the guts and the glory, and whom is just here for show.

1-K T (Four-year-old chestnut colt / Owner-Downwind Stables)

A Grade II winner whose claim to fame was finishing second in the BC Juvenile, K T has not won a stakes race in more than a year and a half and, despite close finishes in the Smile Sprint and the Vanderbilt, needs to show much more to contend with the best going a flat-mile on grass. He has failed to make up any ground in the stretch since his last win over an allowance field at GG and while good speed figures abound, he still needs to win and that has been tough for him as of late, especially at this level.

Analysis-Gets back to the lawn but still needs a top effort to hit the board

Fair Odds-20/1

2-Irish Flu (Five-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Sanny Village)

Irish Flu bypassed the WO Mile last year and instead, went out and won the Shadwell Turf Mile at KEE for his first Grade I win and since then, added another Grade I win at 151-1 in the Shoemaker Mile and will look to double up with a win that would put him at almost $2000.000 in earnings. Three major wins in his last five starts on the lawn, with a solid attempt in the BC Mile as well, proves that he will enjoy the trip and although he has not worked on the grass in a while, he certainly knows how to handle it and that could make him dangerous at a price.

Analysis-Grade I winner could surprise many

Fair Odds-8/1

3-Pip Cozzene-SCRATCHED

4-Silver Bullet (Five-year-old gray gelding / Owner-Joseph Racing)

Multiple Grade I winner Silver Bullet was the equal of Irish Flu in the Shoemaker Mile at SA two starts back and while the AP Million did not work out, it was more a product of pace and with a better start, he should be one of the top contenders as his preferred distance. A sharp workout over the WO turf in preparation should have him ready for a return to a shorter event and he even has a win over the course, which started things up on the road for more than $1,000.000 in earnings.

Analysis-Another with the back class to win

Fair Odds-6/1

5-Hold The Mach-SCRATCHED

6-Full Speed Ahead (Four-year-old chestnut gelding / Owner-Night Rider Stables)

While Grade III winner Hold The Mach was held out by his owner, Full Speed Ahead is all system go for the same connections in the WO Mile but the cards are not in his favour with only allowance wins to show for his four victories to date. Winless since being claimed, he has also failed to find late momentum in his races when the conditioning gets to be its toughest and having never hit a triple-digit speed rating, he will be up against it to outclass some of the best in the game going a flat-mile.

Analysis-Not in the same league as others

Fair Odds-25/1

7-Sir Tom (Four-year-old gray colt / Owner-Brave)

Sir Tom was amazing as three-year-old with four wins, placings in the BEL Derby, Shadwell Turf Mile and BC Mile, and more than $1,000.000 in receipts and this year, while not as productive as expected, it has still be good and he comes into the WO Mile with the right type of style. Soft turf in the Read at DMR was not to his liking and if you go back to the Firecracker at CD, he clearly fits the with the top runners in here and will be sitting the perfect stalking trip from one of the inside draws, with two scratches to move him in.

Analysis-Take his last away with soft ground and you have a contender

Fair Odds-4/1

8-Full Of Trinity (Three-year-old gray gelding / Owner-D J C Racing Stables)

Full Of Trinity pulled off a shocking upset in the Kent Stakes at DEL and nearly stole the show in the Secretariat Stakes before getting outfinished by a nostril and if those two races are any indication, he does have a bright future ahead on the grass against good competition. Unfortunately, the only three-year-old to win this race was a future BC Mile winner coming off a track-record win at DMR and this gelding has not done that, so the chances of him upsetting this stellar field are tough and ones that have to be rated quite high.

Analysis-A good sophomore but not good enough to win here

Fair Odds-15/1

9-Spotted Cat (Three-year-old chestnut colt / Owner-Blushing Meadows)

Spotted Cat has only raced on the lawn twice and never hit the top three so it will be a big leap to see him hit the winner’s circle in the WO Mile and although he was able to close for fourth in the AP Million, that was at the benefit of others and with the shorter distance, that will be much tougher. He will be sitting well off the early fractions and will try to make a run for a minor award but even with a solid workout in preparation, he warrants a shorter look than others unless he can find a way to outkick everyone else.

Analysis-Confirmed closer will need to get into it early

Fair Odds-30/1

10-Seven Years (Six-year-old black horse / Owner-Alydar Stables)

Two years in a row, Seven Years has gone to the Fourstardave and two years in a row, he has given it up against horses weighted much lower than him and races where weights are equal, he is one of the best and should prove it once again on Sunday afternoon. He is the defending champion by overcoming post 14 to win in brilliant style and has looked a picture of perfection in the mornings and with regular jockey L Contreras back, there should be no stopping him on his road to another BC Mile attempt, and a shot at the Top Ten in lifetime earnings.

Analysis-So much to like in his return to stakes racing

Fair Odds-2/1

11-Iron Mann (Three-year-old gray colt / Owner-Aer Stables)

If the turf at WO comes up anything less than firm, Iron Mann will be the one to benefit and with a win against state-bred company over a soft course, and a second in the Fourstardave from well off the pace, he could be the one to sit outside and make a run for a small piece of things late. That being said, he was low weight last time and picks up six-pounds in exchange and when the pace is fast, those extra pounds can be tiresome and something that has to be factored in when racing for $1000.000.

Analysis-The extra weight will be a burden

Fair Odds-25/1

12-Gullis Grenade (Three-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Stald Gullis)

Gullis Grenade closed quite well to finish third in the local prep for the WO Mile and with the top two runners bypassing, he looks to be the local hope for connections whom have won Grade I races with huge upsets in the past. He gets an experienced jockey for this tough event and will be sitting a great trip outside and with a run over the course, he could be a bit of a spoiler for those who do not like the favourite based on his last, and are looking for the next big thing.

Analysis-There are plenty of reasons to like his closing chances

Fair Odds-6/1

13-Son Of Ra (Six-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Sanny Village)

Son Of Ra closed for third in the 2014 WO Mile after winning the Shoemaker Mile in his previous start and coming in off a win in the Fourstardave, he seems to be hitting the right stride once again as he aims for another top class win. He seems to be a hit and miss type who does his best running from behind runners so look for him to settle down the towering backstretch and make a big run around the turn that could see him improve his placing behind a familiar rival.

Analysis-Outside post will help his closing abilities

Fair Odds-5/1

Overall

In the 2014 Grade I WO Mile, Seven Years went right to the front and pressed early before rocketing to a one-length victory, and Son Of Ra closed stoutly to finish in third in what was a top class effort given the modest early pace. This year, things will be exactly the same and I see the champ defending his title, with another third place finish for the outside runner, and Sir Tom finishing in between them with the return to firm turf that he did not have last time out at DMR.

Prediction

Win-Seven Years (2/1)

Place-Sir Tom (4/1)

Show-Son Of Ra (5/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES