The Woodbine Mile, set for September 7 in 2008, is one of the continent's most prominent one-mile turf races. For the first time, the event is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and features a lucrative "Win and You're In" guarantee.
Among the terrific nominees is Kip Deville, the continent's top turf miler.
Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., the flamboyant conditioner of Kentucky Derby hero, Big Brown, Kip Deville finished second in the race last year en route to a Breeders' Cup Mile title at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. The five-year-old has two impressive wins in two starts this year.
The outstanding filly, Ventura, has also been named to the Mile.
The four-year-old Kentucky-bred is, arguably, the continent's top female turf miler. Trained by Robert Frankel, a two-time winner of the race (Leroidesanimaux in 2006, Riviera in 2000), Ventura has three wins in 2008, including the Grade 1 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park in June.
The list of the nominees follows:
ASTRONOMER ROYAL
b.c.4 by Danzig (Northern Dancer) - Sheepscot(Easy Goer)
Owners Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier
Trainer Aidan P. O'Brien
AWESOME ACTION
dk b/.g.8 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) - Opinionated Lady(Known
Fact)
C. and N. Joseph, D. Meehan and S. Leslie
Sue Leslie
DARK ISLANDER (IRE)
b.h.5 by Singspiel (IRE)(In the Wings (GB)) - Lamanka Lass(Woodman)
Donald M. Kerr
Neil D. Drysdale
ELUSIVE FORT (SAF)
dk b/.h.6 by Fort Wood(Sadler's Wells) - Ever Seeking (SAF)(Secret
Prospector)
Vintage Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Raja Malek
ICE BEAR
gr/ro.g.4 by Maria's Mon(Wavering Monarch) - Bristol Pistol(Regal
Classic)
Augustin Stable
MacDonald Benson
JUNGLE FIGHTER
b.g.7 by Wild Rush(Wild Again) - Joustabout(Apalachee)
Stronach Stables
Justin J. Nixon
JUST RUSHING
dk b/.g.7 by Wild Rush(Wild Again) - Daybydaybyday(Shananie)
Tucci Stables
Sid C. Attard
KIP DEVILLE
gr/ro.h.5 by Kipling(Gulch) - Klondike Kaytie(Encino)
IEAH Stables, Pegasus Holding Group Stables, Roberts, J. and Cohen, A.
and S.
Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.
LOVELACE (GB)
b.c.4 by Royal Applause (GB)(Waajib (IRE)) - Loveleaves (GB)(Polar
Falcon)
Hamad Suhail
Mark Steven Johnston
MORADA KEY
dk b/b.g.4 by Carson City(Mr. Prospector) - Dhaka(Icecapade)
OFER Stables LLC
Mark E. Casse
MULMUR
ch.g.5 by Smart Strike(Mr. Prospector) - Wilderness Storm(Storm Cat)
Sam-Son Farms
Mark R. Frostad
ONE UNION
dk b/b.h.5 by Dixie Union(Dixieland Band) - Onceinabluemamoon(Al
Mamoon)
Herman Sarkowsky
Richard E. Mandella
PALLADIO
b.h.6 by Lycius(Mr. Prospector) - Gioia(Mari's Book)
Haras Santa Maria de Araras
Roger L. Attfield
PRECIOUS KITTEN
dk b/b.m.5 by Catienus(Storm Cat) - Kitten's First(Lear Fan)
Lael Stables
Robert J. Frankel
PRESSING (IRE)
dk b/b.h.5 by Soviet Star(Nureyev) - Rafif(Riverman)
Gary A. Tanaka
Michael A. Jarvis
PRINCE WOODMAN
dk b/b.g.5 by Woodman(Mr. Prospector) - Queen Mama(Seattle Slew)
Earle I. Mack
Richard A. Violette, Jr.
RAHY'S ATTORNEY
b.g.4 by Crown Attorney(Silver Deputy) - Rahy's Hope(Rahy)
Ellie Boje Farm, Peters, Read, Jean and Jim MacLellan
Ian Black
RAVEN'S PASS
ch.c.3 by Elusive Quality(Gone West) - Ascutney(Lord At War (ARG))
Stonerside Stable LLC and Sheikh Mohammed
John H. M. Gosden
SABANA PERDIDA (IRE)
b.m.5 by Cape Cross (IRE)(Green Desert) - Capriola(Mr. Prospector)
Scuderia Zaro
Alain De Royer-Dupre
SOCIETY'S CHAIRMAN
b.h.5 by Not Impossible (IRE)(Sadler's Wells) - Athena's
Smile(Olympio)
Charles E. Fipke and George Waud
Roger L. Attfield
STAR PLUS (ARG)
b.h.5 by Alpha Plus(Mr. Prospector) - Nannar (ARG)(Big Play)
Earle I. Mack
Kenneth G. McPeek
VENTURA
dk b/b.f.4 by Chester House(Mr. Prospector) - Estala (GB)(Be My Guest)
Juddmonte Farms, Inc.
Robert J. Frankel
WAR MONGER
b.c.4 by War Chant(Danzig) - Carnival Delight(Half a Year)
Peter Vegso
William I. Mott
WOLLEMI PINE
gr/ro.g.4 by Aljabr(Storm Cat) - Toogie Pine(Pine Bluff)
Kinghaven Farms, Harvey Clarke and Greg Thompson
Ian Black
