The anticipation is building for the $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile, and one of the standout entrants is the French-bred colt Big Rock (Fr) (Rock of Gibraltar). Having previously showcased his talent with a notable victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot last fall, Big Rock is now making his debut in North America. The 4-year-old is among a competitive field of nine runners in the event, which serves as a ‘Win and You’re In’ qualifier for the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
The Woodbine Mile has a rich history, originally starting as the Molson Export Million in the late 1980s before evolving into a key race on turf. Notable winners like Shakespeare, Wise Dan, and the exceptional mare Tepin have established it as a stepping stone to Breeders’ Cup success. Recent champions of the Woodbine Mile, such as Master of the Seas (Ire) and Modern Games (Ire), trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin, further emphasize the race's importance in the racing calendar.
Despite his early promise, Big Rock has faced challenges in 2023, struggling in all three of his outings after a strong finish last year. Switching trainers from Christopher Head to Maurizio Guarnieri, Big Rock had an uncharacteristic start to his season at the Lockinge Stakes, where he stumbled at the start and couldn’t regain his front-running position. Following that, he found himself outpaced in the Queen Anne (G1), where he and competitor Facteur Cheval fatigued each other, allowing the talented colt Charyn to take the victory. In his most recent race at Deauville, while he made some progress, finishing fifth, he still trails behind Charyn.
Umberto Rispoli is set to ride Big Rock, who is owned and bred by Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals of Yeguada Centurion SL, as he seeks to reclaim his winning form.
On the opposing end, the Godolphin and Appleby duo is aiming for a third consecutive Woodbine Mile victory with Naval Power (GB). Having shown impressive talent, Naval Power finished just a head shy of the win in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs earlier this year. The 4-year-old stallion returned to the track after a lengthy layoff in February, showing strong form with a victory in the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes at Meydan. With additional experience in high-stakes races and a consistent record, Naval Power could prove to be a formidable opponent, with William Buick set to take the reins.
In a strong local contingent, champion Filo Di Arianna (Brz), trained by Mark Casse, is another potential standout. He remains unbeaten in five starts on the Woodbine turf and has successfully claimed two consecutive Grade 2 stakes in recent outings. Meanwhile, Casse will field additional horses, including improving gelding Win for the Money, who has shown promise this season, and My Boy Prince, a recent runner-up in the King’s Plate.
The competitive lineup also features:
- Cruden Bay, winner of the Connaught Cup (G2).
- Niagara Skyline, a local allowance winner.
- Playmea Tune, taking his first foray onto the grass.
- Secret Reserve, who has experience in stakes races.
As the race day approaches, it's clear that the Woodbine Mile promises an exciting clash of seasoned contenders and rising stars.