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Tickets to see the hapless Toronto Maple Leafs range from $34 to $400; the Raptors have nosebleed seats starting at $12, but fans that want to get up close and personal will spend well over $100.
To view the best of horse racing, Woodbine patrons were asked to cough up $0 admission. Parking, free. Those who want a spot near the finish line, mere yards from the infamous E.P. Taylor turf course, are asked to spend nothing more than the energy required to walk up to the rail.
Important race dates such as the Queen's Plate, Woodbine Mile and Pattison Canadian International were all well attended events. Fans who went to the track for the Breeders' Cup Win & You're In races held at Woodbine races were treated to a high-def viewing of many of the competitors in the 2009 Breeders' Cup.
Let's take a look at some of the Canadian connections in the Breeders' Cup, including many who made their name at beautiful Woodbine Racetrack. Pre-Entries for the 2009 Breeders' Cup, to be held November 6th and 7th, can be found here.
LADIES CLASSIC
Careless Jewel, Woodbine-based and Canadian-owned by Donver Stable (Donna and Vern Dubinsky of Sherwood Park, Alberta), is trained by Josie Carroll. Woodbine's own Robert Landry in the irons.
Click on the link to read a full and proper feature published earlier this month, with photos, of trainer Josie Carroll and Careless Jewel.
The curious Careless Jewel looks for a win on Breeders' Cup Friday
JUVENILE FILLIES TURF
Jungle Tale is a Woodbine-based runner, trained by Steve Asmussen who ran a determined second to Bay to Bay in the Natalma Stakes.
Bay to Bay captures the Natalma over Jungle Tale and Elusive Galaxy
In three turf starts, Jungle Tale has won once and boasts two place finishes beaten than a length in both. Last out in the Natalma, Jungle Tale was bested by an excellent local turfer and kept the favoured Elusive Galaxy (Ire) in check.
Please click on the link to view previous entries regarding Jungle Tale on Triple Dead Heat.
Jungle Tale runs a game second to Bay to Bay in the Natalma Stakes
JUVENILE FILLIES
Bickersons, bred in Ontario by Mississauga native Robert Harvey, has been racing lately in California. This Silver Deputy filly broke her maiden at Monmouth in July before going on to a pair of third-place Stakes finishes in the Spinaway at Saratoga and the OakLeaf at Santa Anita. Increasing Beyer figures suggests that Bickersons is an improving sort.
Bickersons chases home Hot Dixie Chick at Saratoga
Biofuel, is a Woodbine-based runner under the care of trainer Reade Baker. The promising two-year-old will be ridden by Queen's Plate winning jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva. Earlier this season, Biofuel captured the $250,000 Mazarine Stakes at Woodbine. If you throw out the lack lustre turf start in the G3 Natalma Stakes, there is much to like about the daughter of Stormin Fever.
Please click on the link to view entries regarding Biofuel on Triple Dead Heat.
The imposing Biofuel takes aim at the camera
JUVENILE TURF
Bridgetown owned by Eugene Melnyk, a native of Toronto, will be ridden by Woodbine's own Robert Landry.
Bridgetown defeated Becky's Kitten in the G3 Summer Stakes
Bridgetown, won the $300,000 Summer Stakes at Woodbine earlier this summer under a masterful ride by Landry. Lightly raced, the son of Speightstown was an impressive maiden winner at Saratoga over Billions Boy who went on to defeat Eskendereya - one who could be favoured in this event. Please click on the link to view entries regarding Bridgetown on Triple Dead Heat.
The beautiful Bridgetown graces the Woodbine walking ring
SPRINT
Fatal Bullet, Canadian-owned by Danny Dion's Bear Stables of Edmonton, Alberta, has a big shot in the BC Sprint. Trained by Reade Baker, the poly-proven prodigy will be ridden by Eurico Rosa da Silva.
Fatal Bullet, including interviews with Eurico Da Silva and Reade Baker, winning the Phoenix at Keeneland
Fatal Bullet won automatic entry in the Sprint courtesy of a hard-fought victory over Cap't Candyman Can in the $250,000 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. That effort made up for an off performance on the dirt at Saratoga back in August when Fatal Bullet failed to fire in a race won by Fabulous Strike. The son of Red Bullet will look to improve on his second place finish in the 2008 BC Sprint won by Midnight Lute.
Square Eddie, an Ontario-bred by Kinghaven Farms, is Canadian-owned by J. Paul Reddam, a native of Windsor, Ontario. A Kentucky Derby contender earlier this year, Square Eddie has fought his way back from injury and is entered in both the $1-million Turf Sprint and the $2-million Sprint. Given the large field in the Turf Sprint, it is more likely we'll see Square Eddie on the main track.
Square Eddie, works 5F in 1:00.20, at Santa Anita on October 24, 2009
TURF
Red Rocks won the 2006 BC Turf for Canadian John P. Reddam. The multiple graded winning horse won notoriety for besting Curlin in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont.
Red Rocks beats Curlin in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont
CLASSIC
Einstein was purchased earlier this year by Frank Stronach for his Stronach Stables of Aurora, Ontario. The Brazilian-bred, by Spend A Buck, has proven himself at Santa Anita previously and the mart money could well be on Einstein in the Classic.
Einstein winning the Santa Anita Handicap with ease
Mine That Bird, co-bred in Kentucky by Peter Lamantia of Toronto, is the infamous find of former owner David Cotey. Originally purchased by Cotey for just $9,500, the gelding won several Stakes races at Woodbine including the Swynford and Grey. Mine That Bird went on to win Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old honours.
Mine That Bird breaks his maiden at Woodbine in a claiming event
Mine That Bird was sold to Double Eagle Ranch and Bueno Suerte Equine for $400,000 and under the guidance of trainer Chip Woolley, the former Woodbine gelding won the Kentucky Derby at long odds.
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There was plenty to see and admire at Woodbine in 2009 for fans of thoroughbred racing. Best of luck to all the local connections in their quest to win Breeders' Cup glory.
