Woodbine: Woodbourne fit for second try at Mile
Woodbourne didn’t get much respect when he ran in last year’s Woodbine Mile.
Claimed for $50,000 three starts earlier, Woodbourne had been coming into the Woodbine Mile off a close second-place finish in the With Approval, a 1 1/8-mile turf race restricted to Ontario-breds.
Woodbourne outran his 52-1 starting price in the Woodbine Mile, as he finished 2 3/4 lengths in third behind Court Vision, who will be looking to defend his title here Sunday.
“It’s probably a tougher race than last year,” said Bob Tiller, who trains Woodbourne and is a member of the ownership group which races as The Very Dry Stable.
“But, I’ve got no control over that. The horse is in good order, that’s all I can say.
“He’s certainly as good as he was last year. He’s fit, ready, able and willing, and he’s a very happy horse.”
Woodbourne was winless through his first three starts this season but got back on the board last time out when competing under third-level allowance terms in a one-mile turf race here Aug. 20.
That race came one week to the day after Woodbourne had finished third in the With Approval, more than five weeks after the 7-year-old gelding had ended a disappointing third when racing without the tag in an optional $80,000 claiming race over the same distance and surface.
“It’s very tough to get horses like him into races at Woodbine,” said Tiller. “He’d come out of his last race good, and the three-other-than was there.
“Winning that race was good for him. He’s a very happy horse right now.”
Emma-Jayne Wilson, who rode Woodbourne for the first time in his latest, retains the mount.
Two Grade 1 stakes on Canadian television
The Woodbine Mile and the Northern Dancer will be showcased on a live two-hour national telecast produced by Woodbine for “The Score” network and beginning at 4 p.m..
The Woodbine Mile, which is the 10th or 11 races on the program, is scheduled to go off at 5:42 p.m. Post time for the Northern Dancer is 4:34 p.m.
TVG also will be broadcasting live from Woodbine.