Win for the Money rides the rail en route to Woodbine Mile victory
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The aptly named longshot Win for the Money rallied along the rail under Patrick Husbands to win Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile over his Mark Casse-trained stablemate, Filo Di Arianna.
Two-time Canadian champion Filo Di Arianna led the way through fractions of 23.05, 45.44 and 1:08.88, with longshot Secret Reserve and 1-2 favorite Naval Power in close proximity.
Naval Power, who was a little keen on the backstretch under William Buick, made a bid to challenge Filo Di Arianna early in the stretch. Win for the Money stuck to the rail throughout and came from about four lengths back on the turn to score by 1 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:32.11 over the firm ground.
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Filo Di Arianna held second by a neck and the accomplished French runner Big Rocks, who rallied outside on his left lead, took third. Naval Power flattened out to fourth and was followed by Playmea Tune, My Boy Prince, Secret Reserve and Niagara Skyline.
It was the second Woodbine Mile triumph for the recently inducted Canadian Hall-of-Famer Husbands, who took the 2001 running on Numerous Times.
“I had a perfect trip,” Husband said. “I followed Buick. He relaxed behind him. I didn’t want to put him in the race. I figured from reading the Racing Form, coming from off the pace was my best chance. When he broke so relaxed, I was happy. I followed Buick the whole way and I got the path.”
Win for the Money ($29.30) earned $600,000 for Live Oak Plantation. The gelded son of Mohaymen was bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
Casse and Live Oak combined to win the 2017 Woodbine Mile with World Approval and Casse also won it with standout Tepin in 2016.
The Woodbine Mile is a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re in event, and Casse said via text after the race that Win for the Money will make his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar.
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