Shakespeare flies home to win Woodbine Mile

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Its not exactly "Win and youre in," but favored Shakespeare stamped himself as a serious contender for next months Breeders' Cup Mile with an exciting come-from-behind victory in Sundays $1 million Woodbine Mile.

Shakespeare rated kindly in midpack on the backstretch of the Grade 1 turf race, about seven lengths off Remarkable News, who set moderate fractions of 23.82 and 46.71 seconds.

Garrett Gomez angled Shakespeare to the rail heading into the turn, and they closed strongly along the inside in the stretch to prevail by a length over Kip Deville. Galantas finished another length and a half back in third in the 14-horse field.

"He placed himself in a decent spot early on," said Gomez. "Turning for home, I was hoping to find a way through. Becrux came off the fence a little, and gave me a chance. Once he saw the daylight at the quarter pole, he went to do some really good running. I thought the mile might be too short for him, but he proved me wrong. He's a very talented horse."

Shakespeare ($5.90) is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for the partnership of Dell Ridge Farm and William Schettine. He ran the distance in 1:33.58 and earned $600,000, which boosted his bankroll to $1,311,540.

Prussian handily in Summer

Prussian ($3) became a serious prospect for the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with a handy score in the Grade 3, $251,600 Summer Stakes.

Prussian was hard-held by Kent Desormeaux early on in the one-mile turf event, before hooking up with Brickyard Crossing on the lead going around the turn. He opened up a clear advantage in the stretch, and won by a length and a quarter over a closing Briarwood Circle.

"He was very eager early," said Desormeaux. "I kept him well away from the field on the backside, and he managed to settle. He really jumped into the bridle when I put him closer to that other horse going into the turn. It took a little effort to make him wait, but when I let him go, he showed a tremendous turn of foot."

Prussian covered the distance in 1:35.26, and picked up $150,000 in his stakes debut for Monticule Farm and trainer Bill Mott.

Essential Edge holds on in Canadian

Essential Edge ($21.90) led throughout Sunday's other stakes, the Grade 2 Canadian, holding off Sealy Hill for a neck tally. Favored Meribel rallied to finish third in the nine-horse field of fillies and mares.

Essential Edge set a tepid pace on a five-length lead, and began to tire in the final furlong, but held on to complete about nine furlongs on the grass in 1:45.62.

Essential Edge, trained by Eric Coatrieux for Chiefswood Stable, earned $210,000 of the $341,600 purse.