Woodbine Win & You're In Breeders' Cup Challenge Races
by Patricia Woo | Oct 11 2010
Turf runners will be highlighted at
Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, Oct. 16 with rich grade 1 races offering million-dollar purses and guaranteed berths to
Breeders' Cup events. The Pattison Canadian International is a $2M race for 3-year-olds and up willing to run 1 ½ miles, with the winner securing a spot in the
Breeders' Cup Turf. The E.P. Taylor Stakes is a $1M race for fillies and mares 3 years old and up over 1 ¼ miles, offering the winner a berth to the
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf event.
A strong European contingent is expected to be on hand for the
$2M Gr. 1 Canadian International. Five-year-old Chinchon, who was bred in Ireland but races extensively in France, is among the nominees. Already earmarked for a try at the Breeders' Cup Turf by trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias, Chinchon won his only North American race this year – the Gr. 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth on July 3 – over a strong field that included Breeders' Cup Turf top contender Winchester. In five starts this year, he is 2-0-0 and has earned $515,037. The North American contenders include Spice Route, a 6-year-old gelding trained and owned by Roger Attfield. This son of King's Best, 2-1-0-0 on the year with $129,000 in 2010 earnings, will try to redeem a sixth-place finish in this race last year; jockey Mike Smith, who was aboard for his Singspiel Stakes victory in July, will retain the mount. Canadian-bred Fifty Proof, who was runner-up last out in the Northern Dancer Stakes at Woodbine on Sept. 19, may also contest the Canadian International; the 4-year-old gelded son of Whiskey Wisdom fired a 5-furlong bullet in 59.80 at Woodbine on Oct. 9 for trainer Ian Black.
Overseas invaders should also factor strongly into the $1M Gr. 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes. Four-year-old Pachattack, trained by Gerard Butler, is slated to contest the 1 ¼ mile race; she was sixth in her latest outing, the Gr. 1 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park on Aug. 21. Pachattack has a 2010 record of 7-2-0-2 and has earned $97,250 in 2010 thus far. Also expected is Contredanse, a 3-year-old filly trained by Luca Cumani who was runner-up in the Group 3 Prix de la Nonette at Deauville on Aug. 22. She has earned $289,576 from 5 starts this year. Irish-bred Mekong Melody is also targeting the E.P. Taylor Stakes; Roger Attfield's 5-year-old Cape Cross mare won her last outing – the Flaming Page at Woodbine Park – on Sept. 26. She turned in a bullet work at Woodbine Racetrack on Oct. 6, going 6 furlongs in 1:12.00 in preparation for the E.P. Taylor Stakes. In 2010, she is 3-2-0-0 and has earned $240,800.
Bet on racing at Woodbine Racetrack with the Bodog Racebook!
