Top local rider da Silva has 'real good shot' at Woodbine Mile win

Leading local rider Eurico Rosa da Silva will be looking to capture his first Ricoh Woodbine Mile when he pilots Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry’s Mr Havercamp in the Grade 1, $800,000 race on Sept. 15.

A five-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s Outstanding Jockey, da Silva has enjoyed previous success in Woodbine’s marquee races including two Queen’s Plate scores (Big Red Mike, Eye of the Leopard) and a visually stunning 42-1 upset in the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International with Bullards Alley.

In 2016, da Silva piloted fan favorite Tower of Texas, at odds of 23-1, to a strong second in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile, just a half-length back of Tepin. Mr Havercamp will be much shorter odds a week Saturday and da Silva is looking ahead with confidence.

“I did finish second in this race before and I’m looking forward to it. I’m preparing, mentally and physically, and I’m looking forward to the race. I think I have a real good shot. Our chance is real,” said da Silva.

Mr Havercamp arrives at the Mile from a first graded score having captured the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes on August 25 at Woodbine. Trained by Catherine Day Phillips, the Court Vision chestnut is perfect in four attempts over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

“He’s getting very mature and it’s very easy to ride him.  The last time I raced him, he was very relaxed and anything you want he does for you.  He’s very smart and so easy to ride,” said da Silva, who waited patiently for racing room down the lane. “I knew when I got an opening for him he would explode. I had so much horse underneath me.”

The veteran rider will look to make use of his ‘home turf’ advantage in a race that will feature some of the continents top riders.

“This turf course has a long, long stretch and you need to wait as much as you can.  You wait with the horse because you’re going to have time to get there if you have the horse,” said da Silva.

Da Silva entered Friday’s card with 125 wins, 16 victories clear of Rafael Hernandez, as he looks to defend his title of leading rider.

“Right now, I’m just working, working, working and trying to focus every day until December 16,” said da Silva, in reference to closing day of Woodbine’s 133-day meet. “There’s nothing to celebrate, we didn’t win anything yet. The celebration will come on December 16, I hope.”