Woodbine Diaries: Marvelous Mile

Sunday in Toronto began as a pretty wet affair, but Mother Nature must know by now that a little rain can’t put a damper on Woodbine Mile day. Even with some precipitation coming down, the day promised to be a fantastic event with some of the best grass racing on the planet combined with fun and – in my case – a little impulse shopping for good measure. 
The shopping came about because I didn’t have a hat with me, and with rain in the forecast I needed something to keep me dry. So Breeders’ Cup reporter Jessica Chapel and I headed over to Woodbine’s gift shop to check out their selections, and I’m so glad that I did! I came away with this treasure, which is definitely my new favorite bonnet.

Score! 
After getting my new lid, I scarfed down some lunch before heading downstairs for the first major race of the afternoon: the Bold Venture Stakes, a sprint test for horses 3 years old and up. Because of the rain, the horses stayed in the enclosed saddling area instead of parading in the exposed paddock, so fans lined the railings to view the Thoroughbreds as they prepared for the Bold Venture.

When the runners had their saddles on, three buglers assembled on the turf course to play a beautiful rendition of the call to the post.

Braver fans moved out of the cover of the grandstand and into the rain to watch the Bold Venture from the rail of the racetrack.

The race was just a little over 3/4 of a mile, so fans didn’t have long to wait until they payoff of seeing Stacked Deck roaring down the stretch to take the Bold Venture and the winner’s share of the race’s $150,000 purse. 

Up next was the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes; this race is a 1 1/2 mile marathon for horses 3 years old and up; not only does the Northern Dancer offer a $300,000 purse, but it’s a Grade I race, too, which is the elite level of Thoroughbred competition. The neat thing is that the starting gate is parked right in front of the Grandstand for 1 1/2 mile turf races at Woodbine, so I got a Thoroughbred’s eye view of what it looks like in the moments before a race begins.

Naturally, I had to take a selfie!

I was extra excited for the Northern Dancer this year because my eternal horse crush Triple Threat was entered.

Stunner. 
He was facing some pretty stiff competition, though, with seven tough challengers lined up to face him. There’s only one way to determine who would come out on top, of course, and that’s by running the race. Very soon, that’s exactly what happened with the eight racehorses charging out of the starting gate right in front of the fans.

A mile and a half later, long shot Interpol stole the race under a skillful ride from jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, who earned her first Grade I win in the Northern Dancer.

When Emma-Jayne Wilson and Interpol returned to the Woodbine winner’s circle, she was full of praise for her Northern Dancer winner, patting him with a huge smile on her face.

The next major race was the Canadian Stakes; this was the first Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race, meaning that the winner would receive an all-expenses paid trip to horse racing’s World Championships at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. on October 31. Needless to say, a lot was on the line for the ten Thoroughbreds and their human connections going into the race!

As the horses made their way to the starting gate for the Canadian Stakes, fans queued up along the rail along Woodbine’s grass course to get the best possible view of the action.

Moments later, it was time for the race to begin. 
A mile and an eighth after breaking out of the starting gate, Strut the Course got to the front to take home the Northern Dancer victory as well as the lion’s share of the $300,000 purse and a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Jockey Luis Contreras whooped in celebration and pumped his fist as he swept under the wire.

Strut the Course’s human connections hugged after the race, then headed into the winner’s circle to get their victory photo taken to commemorate their huge accomplishment.

There was an enormous entourage there, and they proudly held up their brand-new Breeders’ Cup blanket for the assembled photographers.

That’s when I spied the real stars of this show: these two kids, who are so freaking adorable that I can barely type right now.

I’m am crossing my fingers, toes, arms, legs and hair strands that they make an appearance at the Breeders’ Cup next month! 
With that, it was time for the crown of the day: the Ricoh Woodbine Mile. This race is one of the biggest stops on the road to the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Mile, and excitement was building in the paddock as the horses paraded for the spectators lining the walking ring before the race.

With the sound of the call to the post, the Woodbine Mile contenders headed out to the track to parade for fans and take their pre-race warm up. Fans crowded the apron to see the spectacle, straining to see the Thoroughbreds who would soon be competing for the $1 million in prize money as well as the trip of a lifetime to the World Championships.

Finally, it was time for the race. The Woodbine Mile this year was a thriller: when the horses were barreling down the homestretch, it looked like Lea may win the whole thing; but Irish import Mondialiste came roaring up the middle of the racetrack, slotting between horses in an incredible ride from Fergal Lynch to win by half a length.

It wasn’t until I got back to the press box and began editing photos that I realized that Lynch rode through the entire stretch on a wet turf course without the aid of goggles. That’s bananas.

For their feat of athleticism, Mondialiste got a standing ovation from the crowd as they returned to the Woodbine winner’s circle to receive their Mile accolades.

There was a brief pause as the stewards (basically the umpires of the horse racing world) reviewed footage to determine if Mondialiste had bumped anyone in the stretch. The inquiry was brief, and Lynch and Mondialiste reunited as owners Geoff and Sandra Turnbull embraced on the turf course.

The group then headed into the winner’s circle to pose for their commemorative photos.

Jockey Fergal Lynch planted a huge kiss on Mondialiste’s nose after he dismounted, and then the Woodbine Mile victor, clad in his brand-new Breeders’ Cup Mile blanket, returned to his stable for some well-earned dinner and a good night’s sleep.

With that, my Woodbine Mile day drew to a close under a spectacular sunset. What a wonderful Mile weekend it was, and I can’t wait to see some of these horses again in just a month and a half at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships!

Closing notes:
So, in my first diary for this trip, I made a Woodbine bucket list. Let’s see how I did!
-Lots of photos of the Mile contenders: Done and done! 
-Meet Gator Kitten: Woodbine’s amazingly purrrrfect and sassy cat and I are now friends! (May thanks to my friend Sheri for providing some cat treats for Gator as the necessary bribes to win feline acceptance!) I may be in trouble, though, for not swinging by the barn after the Woodbine Mile to say goodbye. Sorry, Gator!

Eat at least two of Woodbine’s amazing roast beef sandwiches: Oh, I did this. I did this and I still want more. 

-Get at least one awesome sunrise shot if possible: Happy to say I got this as well!
Also, Sheri, thank you so much for the delectable treats! You made a lot of people very happy on Sunday!

And, finally, to the reader who wishes to remain anonymous: here’s your photo of Woodbine’s Jeff Bratt! 

Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone who journeyed to Woodbine with me for this fantastic Mile weekend, and I’ll be back very soon at my next stop on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup!