Court Vision Punches Ticket In Woodbine Mile

Fresh off a summer layoff, Court Vision took the $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sunday Afternoon and punched his ticket to the Breeder's Cup Mile at Churchill Downs in November. Court Vision led only Riviera Cocktail as the field turned from home but used a good trip and a superb ride from Robby Albarado in his first start since June 5th to take the victory. Albarado was also returning from a layoff, racing for his first race since suffering a separated collarbone at Saratoga on August 12th.

Court Vision started the race well off the pace along the backstretch but began to make up ground in the turn. There was plenty of traffic for Court Vision and Albarado to maneuver through in the stretch, but got the break they needed when Straight Story began to tail off and The Usual Q.T. made his move three wide from the rail. A small gap opened up and Albarado swung Court Vision to the outside to give him a clear run at the finish line. Court Vision blew by The Usual Q.T. and took the Mile by 1 and ¼ lengths.

I personally thought that Californian Victor's Cry and European shipper Famous Name had the best shot to win but Victor's Cry got caught in some traffic along the rail land tailed off in the stretch, and Famous Name sat in the middle of the pack most of the race and never really threatened the front down the stretch. I overlooked Court Vision, who went off at a good 7-1 price, thinking that he might not be in racing shape and also because Albarado had not raced in a while. Oh well, better luck next time.

Woodbine will again play host to Breeder's Cup prep races on Saturday, October 16th. Three major Grade I races will take place including the Nearctic Stakes, the E.P. Taylor Stakes and the Pattison Canadian International.

Posted in: Woodbine