Expert picks: Woodbine MIle 2019 predictions, longshots
Two fillies and nine males square off Saturday in an interesting renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile, an important step toward the Breeders' Cup. Morning line favorite Got Stormy is one of the fillies, and she is in the best form of her career, but she won’t offer any value in this turf feature.
Before choosing how to bet Saturday's ninth race from Woodbine, let's analyze the field:
The Favorite
#5 Got Stormy (8-5) was always a decent turf miler, and she took her game to a whole new level in her last two starts at Saratoga including a victory over the boys in the Fourstardave (G1) on Aug. 10. The time to play her was at 5-1 that last go-around. She is a low odds contender Saturday.
Value Win Contenders
#4 Synchrony (6-1) shipped to Canada and scored as the favorite in the King Edward (G2) at this distance June 29. His new pilot, Flavien Prat, is one of the best turf riders in the country, and he will try to get involved late.
#7 Raging Bull (3-1) is winless in four Grade 1 starts this year for Chad Brown. He added blinkers and hit the board in his last pair, but was no match for Got Stormy last time in the Fourstardave. He reconnects with his winning rider, Joel Rosario, and is capable of beating these on his best day. Live Longshots
#2 Lucullan (8-1) sat a great trip behind fast fractions in the restricted Lure Stakes on Aug. 3 at Saratoga. He has won two straight and will probably stalk the pace in his toughest career test.
#6 Awesometank (8-1) finished a good second behind Sistercharlie in her U.S. debut in the Beverly D. (G1) at Arlington on Aug. 10. She won three races at this distance in Europe and figures to chase the pace Saturday.
Remaining Entrants
#1 El Tormenta (20-1) won the Connaught Cup (G2) at Woodbine on June 1 and had a bit of an uncomfortable trip in the Play the King (G2) last time. Sharp local rider Eurico Rosa Da Silva should have options with the versatile gelding.
#3 Silent Poet (30-1) exits a record-setting win in the Play the King, and he clearly loves the local turf course. The razor-sharp gelding owns early pressing versatility, and his numbers are on the rise.
#8 American Guru (30-1) went all the way as the favorite in a local optional claiming score at this distance on Aug. 11. The lightly raced 5-year-old horse is 2-for-2 at this distance and figures to press.
#9 Made You Look (12-1) made a move to the lead in the stretch in the Fourstardave but could not keep the momentum going and weakened to finish fifth. He has lost his last eight attempts in the stakes ranks, and the “other” Chad Brown runner can be used underneath.
#10 Emmaus (20-1) missed by a neck in his first two stakes starts since arriving from Europe, and both of those races were at seven panels. He failed to punch it in and ended up an even fourth at this distance in the King Edward. He is 0-for-4 at this distance.
#11 Admiralty Pier (30-1) was an okay fifth in the Play the King last time. He seems a cut or two below these and will have to work out a trip from the outside post.
