Mr Havercamp using Seagram Cup as Woodbine Mile prep

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Mr Havercamp won the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple Stakes at Saratoga in his most recent start on July 12. He will prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sunday in the Grade 3, $125,000 Seagram Cup Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Mr Havercamp’s connections, trainer Catherine Day Phillips and owner-breeders Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, had also considered a start in the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga on Saturday, but opted to stay at Woodbine.

“Shipping again in the middle of summer is asking a lot in a month’s time,” Day Phillips said. “We’ve got the race here, so we can stay at home.”

Mr Havercamp has shown ability on both turf and synthetic. He won twice on synthetic last season, capturing the Steady Growth Stakes in June and the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes last November.

Mr Havercamp could have also prepped for the Woodbine Mile in the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes on turf on Aug. 24, but Day Phillips said she wanted more time between races.

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“He likes the synthetic, and I think the Play the King is a little too close,” she said. “It’s just three weeks to the Mile. He’s run tremendously well fresh, and seems to enjoy that. We’re looking to keep him good and fresh.”

Key Contenders

Mr Havercamp, by Court Vision

Last 3 Beyers: 100-77-98

◗ His start in the Forbidden Apple was his first in seven months, and he earned a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure while being wide on both turns and running over yielding turf.

◗ Despite drawing the rail for this race, he should be able to work out a good stalking trip while saving ground inside under jockey Eurico Da Silva.

Are You Kidding Me, by Run Away and Hide

Last 3 Beyers: 95-94-92

◗ The 9-year-old is still at the top of his game for trainer Roger Attfield, having finished third or better in all three of his starts on Woodbine’s synthetic this season.

◗ He recorded the 13th win of his career in his most recent start on June 30 when he captured the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes.

Mr Ritz, by Oasis Dream

Last 3 Beyers: 90-94-82

◗ He returns to synthetic in the Seagram Cup following a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 King Edward Stakes on turf on June 29.

◗ He set the pace in his most recent start on synthetic in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes on May 20, but was passed at the wire by Souper Tapit.

Special Forces, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 94-92-90

◗ He won by 6 1/2 lengths against allowance company in May in his first start of the year before going on to run a narrow second behind Are You Kidding Me in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes.

◗ In his four starts since being claimed by trainer Kevin Attard for $40,000 last September, he’s recorded three wins and one runner-up finish.