All Eyes On The Leopard

It was cloudy and grey at Woodbine this morning as dozens of horses were put through their paces. All eyes were on Queen's Plate winner Eye of the Leopard who breezed five furlongs in 1:03.60 for jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva.

Yet another big weekend on tap here at Woodbine with the G2 Play The Kings Stakes later this afternoon and on Sunday we'll see another turf event in the Ontario Colleen Stakes. Jungle Wave should prevail in the Play The King Stakes for trainer Sid Attard but will have plenty of work to do to hold of Roger Attfield's new charge Jimmy Simms.

The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society is hosting their annual horse show at Heritage Park in Milton tomorrow afternoon. Click on the link to find out more about this great event. I'll be there with camera in hand to watch former stars of the limestone strut their stuff.

What follows are photos from this morning's workouts at Woodbine.

A morning fog hangs over the Woodbine main track


The grey horses were camouflaged by the dreary backdrop


The lovely lady aboard this grey owns the grey horse pictured above


Alex Brown was busy for the Asmussen Stable


A runaway horse caused a bit of excitement...


...apparently the horse had his own turf workout planned...


...but instead he got caught and was sent home to his stall


Queen's Plate winner Eye of the Leopard was out for a spin


Long strides from the Sam-Son Farms colt


Eurico Rosa Da Silva is pleased with the workout


Big smile from the Brazilian jockey aboard his favourite horse!


It's always fun to spend a morning watching the workouts and the talent pool is only getting stronger as horses start to ship in for the Fall turf events. On September 19th and 20th, Woodbine is home to the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series with the G3 Natalma Stakes and G3 Summer Stakes on the Saturday followed by the $1M Dollar Woodbine Mile on the Sunday. Also on tap that Sunday is the G1 Northern Dancer Turf and the G2 Canadian Stakes. As we move closer to these events, I will be following the workouts of both the local contenders and those shipping in for their chance at the glory. A post later this week will follow up on who Woodbine fans can expect to see grace the E.P Taylor Turf Course.

Have a great weekend everyone.