Stronach might send both American Guru, Silent Poet in Woodbine Mile

ETOBICOKE Ontario – Stronach Stables could have two horses in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile here Sept. 14. Stronach racing consultant Mike Doyle said both American Guru and Silent Poet are under consideration for the $1 million turf event, which is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifier for the BC Mile on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

American Guru looked like a world-beater early last year when he captured his first two starts. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, he won an allowance with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure at Aqueduct in his second start, lost his third start by a nose, then cleared the second allowance condition last summer at Belmont.

American Guru went to the sidelines for a year after that win and resurfaced with Doyle as his trainer here July 21, finishing a flat fifth in an open allowance won by Silent Poet. That tightener set him up nicely for an Aug. 11 allowance going a mile on the inner turf, and he led all the way under Rafael Hernandez.

American Guru worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds on Aug. 24 at Woodbine.

“He’ll have a more serious work this weekend, with Rafael Hernandez on,” Doyle said. “Hopefully, if everything goes good, he’ll go in the” Woodbine Mile.

Silent Poet, a son of leading Canadian sire Silent Name, notched his first stakes win by beating Ontario-sired 3-year-olds in the Vice Regent last September for trainer Nick Gonzalez. He finished third and second in two subsequent Ontario-sired stakes on the Tapeta in the fall before going on hiatus.

Silent Poet won his July 21 comeback over American Guru in front-running style and then doubled up from just off the pace in last Saturday’s Grade 2 Play the King Stakes. He lowered the course record to 1:19.22 in the seven-furlong Play the King and earned a 100 Beyer. Soaring Free held the previous record, set in the 2004 Play the King. He went on to win the Woodbine Mile.

“If Silent Poet is okay, it makes sense,” Doyle said. “He’s improved. Nick’s done an unbelievable job with him. We had to take a chip out of his knee at the end of last year. The horse just thrived after all that. It’s all been good.”

Doyle said that Grade 2 winner Holy Helena is on target for the Grade 2 Canadian on the Woodbine Mile undercard. She worked five-eighths in 1:01.40 last Saturday.

“She went good with Rafael on her,” Doyle said. “She’s doing great.”

◗ Camp Creek won the 1 1/2-mile second leg of the Woodbine Turf Endurance Series last Saturday over Sine Metu and Bold Rally. Camp Creek and Bold Rally lead the series with 15 points apiece. It continues over 1 5/8 miles on Sept. 21 and will culminate with a 1 3/4-mile marathon on Oct. 19.