Woodbine Mile: Appleby's Notable Speech leads 9

Saturday's Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Mile, attracted nine hopefuls.

In 2022, Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby sent out multiple Group 1 winner Modern Games to Woodbine Mile glory, which was followed by a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. One year later, Master of The Seas gave Godolphin and Appleby their second straight Mile success.

Notable Speech, a son of Dubawi, contested the first 10 races of his career at the one-mile distance, winning the 2000 Guineas (G1) and the Sussex Stakes (G1) at that distance in 2024 during his 3-year-old season. He closed out his campaign with a third-place finish, beaten just three-quarters of a length, in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar.

“As is typical of his sire, from a physical aspect, he looks much stronger this year,” Appleby said. “I think this horse always puts his best foot forward but needs things to fall right for him on the day.”

In his 4-year-old debut, Notable Speech was fourth in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) on May 17 at Newbury. Staying at the one-mile distance, he then headed to Royal Ascot for the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) and finished fourth.

The chestnut then cut back to six furlongs for the July Cup (G1) on July 12 at Newmarket, where he was fifth. 

Back at one mile Aug. 17 at Deauville in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), Notable Speech rallied with vigor from the back of the 11-horse field to finish a head shy of Diego Velázquez for all the spoils.

“We were delighted with his run here and it was good to see he still retains his enthusiasm for racing,” Appleby said. “Firstly, we hope he has travelled over OK and settles into his new routine.

“In his races, he prefers there to be decent pace, as we saw when he won the Guineas and the Sussex Stakes.”

William Buick, aboard for the previous Godolphin and Appleby triumphs in the Mile, will make the trip to ride on Saturday. 

A host of heavyweight contenders await Notable Speech.

Dual hall of fame trainer Mark Casse sends out the accomplished duo Win for the Money, last year’s Woodbine Mile winner, and multiple graded-stakes-placed My Boy Prince.

A 6-year-old son of Moyhamen out of the War Chant mare Mayakoba, Win for the Money, owned by Live Oak Plantation, is 21: 5-5-4 with $970,197 in purse earnings.

Bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Win for the Money, after his debut at Ellis Park, broke his maiden next time out at Woodbine on Nov. 20, 2021, in a seven-furlong race over the main track.

His first stakes success came in the 2024 edition of the Mr. Steele at Gulfstream in May. That same year, he was fourth in the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill in June and second in the Kentucky Downs Mint Millions Turf Mile Stakes at Ellis Park one month later.

The chestnut gelding heads into the Mile off a pair of thirds in the Kelso (G3) on July 5 and the Fourstardave (G1) on Aug. 2.

“Those were on the inner turf at Saratoga, which is a lot like our turf course at Woodbine," Casse said. "He ran good in both. I was expecting a big effort in the Kelso. I don’t know if he has given his very best, but he is coming in now in his third (race) of the cycle. A lot of the big handicappers will tell you the third one off the layoff is their best. That’s what we are looking for."

Patrick Husbands, who won the 2001 Mile with Numerous Times, gets the call.

“I think you will see Patrick having Win for the Money up pretty close,” said Casse, who won the 2016 Woodbine Mile with Tepin and the 2017 running with World Approval. “I wasn’t surprised (at his win in last year’s Mile). I was expecting big things from him and he didn’t disappoint. Patrick gave him a tremendous ride.”

My Boy Prince, Canada’s champion 2-year-old male, has crafted an 18: 7-5-1 mark and $1,037,127 in earnings.

The son of Cairo Prince out of the Silent Name mare Hopping Not Hoping won the 2023 Simcoe Stakes and Cup and Saucer Stakes. He was also a strong third in that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. In 2024, he took three straight stakes, the King Corrie, Queenston and Plate Trial, and was a determined second in the King’s Plate.

His most recent stakes success came in the Elusive Quality at Belmont on May 3.

“He ran big,” Casse said. “He was impressive. He likes a little harder turf. Now, going a mile on the inner turf, I think that is really going to be to his liking.”

The roan gelding was second in the Jaipur (G1) on June 8, second by a neck in the Highlander (G2) on June 28 and fourth in the Fourstardave.

“He’s been running against the best,” Casse said. “I’m excited to see him run. I think he is really going to like the inner turf. He’s very good on sharp turns. If he puts in a good effort, he is going to be tough. Everybody is going to need a good trip.”

This year’s King Edward (G2) winner Gas Me Up, stakes winner Hunt Master, stakes-placed Naptown, multiple Group 1 winner One Stripe, multiple graded-stakes-placed and 2025 Niagara Stakes victor Stanley House and graded-stakes-placed Wyoming Bill round out the field.