2021 Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1) Quick Picks
The prestigious $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1) has been held for twenty years at Canada’s premier track. Older turf horses will compete for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile (G1). Carded as race ten of twelve, post time for the Woodbine Mile is 6:12 PM ET.
Let’s review the most likely runners to hit the board.
#4 Ride a Comet (5-1)
Ride a Comet returns to Woodbine, where he has won both turf starts. This year, he closed to finish just two lengths behind Set Piece and Raging Bull in the Wise Dan (G2) and the Maker’s Mark (G1). This Mark Casse trainee has been off since June, but he fires fresh. Win contender.
#5 Set Piece (5-2)
Set Piece has won or placed in five of six starts this year. The Brad Cox trainee conducted himself admirably in his last two starts, winning the Wise Dan Stakes (G2) by a half-length and closing late to finish second in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1). Win contender.
#1 Town Cruise (20-1)
Town Cruise is the lone speed in the Woodbine Mile. In his first graded stakes attempt, he finished second in King Edward (G2) after setting swift early fractions. The Brandon Greer trainee is the lone speed, and he has an outsider’s chance of stealing the race if jockey Daisuke Fukumoto can set a more reasonable pace. If not, Town Cruise could still upset the exotics.
#3 March to the Arch (8-1)
March to the Arch has hit the board at Woodbine in all five starts, and he was second in last year’s Mile. Most recently, he was third, bested 1 1/4 lengths in the King Edward (G2) after encountering a traffic jam. If jockey Patrick Husbands can keep March to the Arch out of trouble, they have a longshot chance of upsetting the field. Exotics.
#7 Raging Bull (FR) (2-1)
Raging Bull is a three-time Grade 1 winner, but he threw in a rare clunker when finishing a dull sixth in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1). The Chad Brown trainee was fourth in the 2019 Woodbine Mile but was placed third after being impeded in the stretch. The six-year-old horse has won only twice in the last two years but has come close two other times. Exotics.
#10 Space Traveler (12-1)
At first glance, Space Traveler seems up against it; however, the Brendan Walsh trainee’s form is better than it seems. He hated the soft going in Europe but has hit the board over a good course. In his US debut, the Group 2 winner had a nightmare trip in the 1 1/4 mile Mr. D. Stakes (G1), but still closed into a slow pace to finish fourth. Longshot exotics.
2021 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Analysis
Raging Bull is a vulnerable favorite, and the Woodbine Mile has upset potential. If you get anywhere close to Ride a Comet’s morning line odds of 5-1, consider it a gift.
If Town Cruise gets lose on the lead after setting reasonable fractions, he could upset the field.
- #4 Ride a Comet (5-1)
- #5 Set Piece (5-2)
- #1 Town Cruise (20-1)
- #3 March to the Arch (8-1)
