The Lead:
Can WIN FOR THE MONEY join the legendary Wise Dan as the only back-to-back winners of the Woodbine Mile? We'll find out Saturday as Breeders' Cup Mile aspirants showcase their stuff in the headliner to a 12-race card that includes a quartet of important supporting stakes races. A field of 9 has answered the Woodbine Mile call and will square off in the 1-turn event in Race 9.

Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET be sure to take advantage of the $3,000 Exacta-Thon promotion on Saturday's full card at Woodbine. Tournament players note the $1,000 Woodbine Mile Challenge contest coincides with the big program.

​Field Depth:
NOTABLE SPEECH far and away has the strongest company lines as a multiple English Group 1 winner and near-miss third in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar. Defending champ WIN FOR THE MONEY is the only North American Grade 1 winner in the lineup, while South African export ONE STRIDE is a multiple Group 1 winner in his homeland.
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Pace:
MY BOY PRINCE has shown more speed this year than last when unable to make a dent in this race and could be the tone-setter in a race without a defined speedster. HUNT MASTER and STANLEY HOUSE are possible contenders to the early throne, the former more accustomed around the mile trip. The pace should be modest.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

#1-STANLEY HOUSE: Wire-to-wire winner of the 10-furlong Niagara Stakes over this course last out August 2, it's debatable he's fast enough to reach the front in a 1-turn mile from the rail. This will be his first mile bid and it's notable that he had lost 10 in a row (9 stakes) prior to winning last out on the class drop to listed company. Brilliance needed for distance and increased competition may be too much to overcome up top, but not without a minor share chance.

#2-NOTABLE SPEECH: Trainer Charlie Appleby, owner Godolphin and jockey William Buick teamed to win this race in 2022 (Modern Games) and 2023 (Master of the Seas); they were fourth last year with odds-on favorite Naval Power to deny a three-peat. While last year's Group 1 English 2000 Guineas and Sussex winner has lost 6 straight, a neck defeat as runner-up to world-class Diego Velazquez last out in France's premier Group 1 mile, the Prix Jacques Le Marois, is a performance that towers over these. A lot to like here and a win makes last year's BC Mile favorite the potential chalk in the big dance once again. Clearly the one to beat.

#3-ONE STRIPE: X-factor from South Africa ripped through the competition, going a length shy of winning 7 straight races, including a pair of Group 1 scores at a mile. One of those already earned him a BC Mile Win & You're In berth, so this March layoff runner appears in obvious prep mode for new trainer Graham Motion. The conditioner has had North American success via South Africa in recent years, including Isivunguvungu and Gimme a Nother, the latter winning last Saturday's Grade 2 John C. Mabee at Del Mar. Five-time Woodbine Mile winner John Velazquez looks to add to his race record when he partners with this colt for the first time. Colt has had some trouble leaving the gate cleanly, but Woodbine's long stretch run for home may benefit him if things go rocky at the start.

#4-HUNT MASTER: Rank outsider cross-entered in the 7-furlong Vigil Stakes (Race 10) on this same card. Haltered for $50,000 out of an optional claiming runner-up as the favorite last out. Potential pace player at best.

#5-WYOMING BILL: Rallying runner-up of the Grade 2 King Edward, the local prep, unable to outkick Woodbine Mile return rival Gas Me Up. Veteran trainer Catherine Day-Phillips adds blinkers back to the routine, which he wore while going 1-for-8 to open his career. Don't expect them to have a major form impact. Jockey Frankie Dettori exits a leading rider crown at the short, but lucrative, Kentucky Downs boutique meet and seeks a first Woodbine Mile trophy.

#6-MY BOY PRINCE: While he's had some success going longer against fellow Canadian-breds, at the higher levels this Cairo Prince gelding has been best in sprints. Lost starch late in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga over a mile and that's been his tale in most races beyond dash distances. Figures to be in the hunt throughout under Joel Rosario, but that 5: 0-1-1 record at the distance is hard to overlook. Mark Casse won the 2016, 2017 and 2024 editions of the Woodbine Mile and can match Neil Drysdale's race record with a fourth victory.

#7-NAPTOWN: Rallying winner of his last 2 allowance trips at Colonial Downs, trainer Jose Magana already is in the black with this $40,000 claim from Laurel in June. Ontario-bred began broke his maiden over the Woodbine Tapeta in 2023, but has yet to try the local grass. Won both with a fast-pace set-up and behind moderate splits in those recent Colonial wins, so he's not pace dependent. He's at his best right now, but looks a cut below the good ones here.

#8-WIN FOR THE MONEY: Upset this race at 13-1 last year under reunited rider Patrick Husbands, but has dropped 5 decisions since then. His 2025 losses have looked similar, pressing in position but lacking a finishing kick. Could be in store for a no lead, no pass trip ... making a repeat victory unlikely. Mark Casse eyes a record-tying fourth Woodbine Mile winner and has won this race back-to-back previously (2016, 2017 with Tepin and World Approval).

#9-GAS ME UP: Got a fast set-up in the Grade 2 King Edward local prep and rallied from the clouds for his second straight victory. Jockey Flavien Prat returns to the saddle for trainer Kevin Attard, a top local conditioner who notched Woodbine Mile glory in 2020 with Starship Jubilee. May not get a fantastic race shape this time, and his BRIS late pace figures aren't nearly as good as the running lines suggest.

Most Likely Exotics Contender:
NOTABLE SPEECH appears to be a complete standout in this year's Woodbine Mile. It's hard to envision a scenario where he's not on the ticket somewhere.

Best Longshot Contender:
STANLEY HOUSE feels more than the 10-1 morning line price to win, but his BRIS late pace figures are the best among the North Americans here and if he's quick enough to be competitive early on the cut-back, he could stick for a share.

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$60 daily double from HOT MASH in Race 8 to NOTABLE SPEECH here. Plus, $40 exacta NOTABLE SPEECH to STANLEY HOUSE in the Woodbine Mile itself.