Turallure Nails Courageous Cat in Woodbine Mile

Turallure, confidently handled by Julien Leparoux, came storming down the outside to nail favoured Courageous Cat and Right One in a thrilling three-horse finish to capture the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile, a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In event, Sunday at Woodbine.

At the wire in the Grade 1 turf classic, Turallure had prevailed by a neck, with Courageous Cat outbobbing Right One by a nose for the place award, in 1:34.92 over a ‘firm’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course.  Side Glance was a length further back in fourth.

Now, for Turallure, trained by Charles Lopresti for his owner and breeder, Donna Arnold, who races under the 4-D Stables moniker, it’s likely on to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile November 5 at Churchill Downs.

“Congratulations to Julien Leparoux,” said Lopresti.  “That was a heckuva ride.  I didn’t think he was going to get through at the top of the lane, but when he got out, he came running.  Well, if he comes back good (he’ll likely go the Breeders’ Cup).”

Turallure, a four-year-old son of 2003 Canadian Horse of the Year Wando, had come into the Mile off an upset win in the mile and one-eighth, Grade 2 Bernard Baruch, August 26 at Saratoga, a little over three weeks ago.

“We didn’t train him very much,” continued Lopresti, on the quick turnaround. “He had an easy five-eighths in 1:02.  I just tried to keep him happy.”

Turallure was placed towards the rear of the 12-horse field early on, as Kara’s Orientation set a modest pace of :23.83 and :47.11, while being stalked by the even money choice, Courageous Cat and jockey Pat Valenzuela.

As the leaders swept off the far turn, Courageous Cat took over but there were a host of pursuers as the field straightened for home, after six furlongs was timed in 1:11.03.

Meanwhile, Leparoux had Turallure down on the inside, back in ninth, but somehow was able to find a seam and ease him to the outside, where he proceeded to mount a charge.
In the last few jumps, as Courageous Cat and Right One, who had sneaked through on the rail, were battling it out, Turallure was able to motor by on the outside.

Added Leparoux, who also won the $300,000 Canadian Stakes aboard Never Retreat, on the undercard, “For a couple of years I’ve been coming here (to Woodbine).  I’ve been lucky.  It’s a great turf course.  He broke good, but a little bit on the outside, so I just took him back. Saved a little bit of ground around the turn.  There was a lot of traffic and I couldn’t get out (for a while).  He ran big today.   It was very close (at the wire).  I didn’t really know (if I had it).  I felt the way it looked I got it, but you don’t want to be happy before you make sure you win it.”

“It’s fantastic. I just don’t know what to say. I’m really speechless,” said owner Arnold.

About Courageous Cat, Valenzuela said, “"His trip was perfect. I was hoping he would relax a little longer. He picked it up going into that turn. I was trying to get him to relax without choking him too much because he does have a little bit of a breathing problem, and I didn't want to strangle him. He ran a very good race. He handled the surface good, I can't complain.”

For Turallure, it was the biggest win of his 15-race career and his sixth trip to the winner’s circle, as he picked up $600,000 for the victory to push his career bankroll to almost $900,000.

As the 6-1 second choice, Turallure returned $14.90, $5.90 and $4.10, combining with Courageous Cat ($3.10, $2.90) for a $42.30 (8-4) exactor.  An 8-4-5 (Right One, $4.90) triactor was worth $212.30, while a $1 Superfecta [8-4-5-9 (Side Glance)] came back $572.15.

The handle was a record $6,064,189 for a Woodbine Mile card.