There’s a simple reason why the $1 million, Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes awards a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile — it’s one of the most productive Breeders’ Cup Mile prep races in North America.
As its name implies, the Woodbine Mile is contested at a distance of one mile on the Woodbine turf course. Since 2010, the race has been won by past or future Breeders’ Cup Mile winners Court Vision, Wise Dan (twice), Tepin, and World Approval.
Saturday’s renewal of the Woodbine Mile features a proven Breeders’ Cup winner of a different sort: #5 Modern Games. The 3-year-old Godolphin homebred capped off an accomplished juvenile campaign with a comfortable victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, rallying strongly to defeat multiple stakes winner Tiz the Bomb by 1 1/2 lengths.
Modern Games has been as good or better competing in Europe in 2022. He kicked off the season with a victory in the one-mile Group 1 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains, the first leg of the French Triple Crown. Most recently, he came home second in the one-mile Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes in England, beaten only 1 3/4 lengths by undefeated European standout Baaeed.
Based on his racing record alone, Modern Games is a deserving favorite to win the Woodbine Mile. But he also has powerful human connections in his corner. Trainer Charlie Appleby went 9-for-18 (50%) in North America last year, counting three Breeders’ Cup wins among eight Grade 1 triumphs. In 2022, Appleby’s record in North America stands at 7 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, and 1 third, including a score in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes.
Meanwhile, jockey William Buick has gone 5-for-7 (71%) riding in North American races over the past two years, which includes a 5-for-6 (83%) record riding for Appleby. Two of those victories came in Breeders’ Cup races, and Buick teamed up with Appleby to win the 2021 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile with Space Blues.
Taking all of these factors together, Modern Games looks tough to beat in the Woodbine Mile. But since he figures to start at a short price, we’ll plan on betting him on top of exotic wagers (like the exacta and trifecta) instead of betting him to win.
Underneath Modern Games, we’ll favor the chances of #2 Ivar. The upset winner of the 2020 Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes has competed strongly in the last two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, finishing fourth in 2020 and third in 2021.
Ivar kicked off 2022 on a promising note. In the 1 1/16-mile Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Ivar unleashed a strong rally from behind a quick pace to win by one length in the course-record time of 1:39.49. A repeat of that performance would place Ivar in the hunt for a top-three finish at Woodbine.
#4 Finest Sound is another formidable contender. The 5-year-old gelding is shipping in from England, where he ran second by a neck in the one-mile Group 2 Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood last month. That effort was flattered when the victorious Jadoomi came right back to dominate the Group 2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile by four lengths, bringing his record for the year to a perfect 3-for-3. The fact Finest Sound came within a neck of beating Jadoomi is a positive sign.
The filly #3 Wakanaka also warrants respect. After cracking the trifecta in the Grade 3 Honey Fox Stakes, Grade 2 Longines Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile, and Grade 1 Longines Just a Game Stakes during the winter and spring, Wakanaka secured a signature victory in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine last month. Racing 1 1/16 miles on the turf course, Wakanaka settled in midfield early before rallying sharply to defeat next-out Grade 2 Canadian Stakes Presented by The Japan Racing Association winner Fev Rover by 1 3/4 lengths in the sharp time of 1:39.46.
Depending on how much money you wish to spend betting the Woodbine Mile, we’ve outlined a pair of wagering strategies to consider:
Wagering Strategy on a $15 Budget
$9 exacta: 5 with 2
What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $9 exacta 5 with 2
$1 trifecta: 5 with 2 with 3,4 ($2)
What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $1 trifecta 5 with 2 with 3,4
$2 trifecta: 5 with 3,4 with 2 ($4)
What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $2 trifecta 5 with 3,4 with 2
Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget
$14 exacta: 5 with 2
What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $14 exacta 5 with 2
$2 trifecta: 5 with 2 with 3,4,6,8,11 ($10)
What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $2 trifecta 5 with 2 with 3,4,6,8,11
$3 trifecta: 5 with 3,4 with 2 ($6)
What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 9, $3 trifecta 5 with 3,4 with 2
Good luck, and enjoy the race!
Pick 3
1-6/9-5
1-6/9-5
$1
Superfecta
5-2-4-6
5-2-4-6
$31
Pick 3
1-6/9-5
1-6/9-5
$1
Superfecta
5-2-4-6
5-2-4-6
$31
