Kentucky-bred Win for the Money, a 5-year-old son of Mohaymen-Mayakoba, rode the rail to victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Rogers Woodbine Mile, part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program.
Trained by Mark Casse for Live Oak Plantation, the chestnut, under a masterful ride from Patrick Husbands, notched his first graded success in grand fashion on the big stage.
Stablemate Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) struck front after a brief scramble for the lead, as longshot Secret Reserve and 2-5 choice Naval Power (GB) settled into second and third, respectively, followed by another outsider, Niagara Skyline. Win for the Money was unhurried, running seventh of eight.
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Ahead by a length through an opening panel in :23.05 over firm going, Filo Di Arianna, a multiple graded stakes winner riding a two-race win streak, loped along comfortably and maintained his length advantage after a half in :45.44.
A host of rivals, including Naval Power and Big Rock (FR), came charging to the outside of the leader around the turn for home, while Husbands took the inside route down the long stretch run to the wire.
A head behind Filo Di Arianna at Robert Geller’s stretch call, the gelding kept gaining with every stride to earn a well-deserved 1 ½-length score. A game Filo Di Arianna took the place award, a neck ahead of Big Rock, who was a length in front of Naval Power.
The final time was a quick 1:32.11.
Casse Has Big Day at Woodbine
For Casse, it was another outstanding result on an afternoon he secured first, second, and third in the Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes, also a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In” event, courtesy of And One More Time, Vixen, and Nitrogen.
The dual hall of fame conditioner celebrated his third Mile victory. He won the 2016 edition with superstar mare Tepin and the 2017 running with multiple graded stakes standout World Approval, also owned (and bred) by Live Oak Plantation, who went on to take that year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Husbands, inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this year, was elated with the win.
“I must say, I give out respect to Mark [Casse],” said the veteran journeyman, whose other Mile triumph came in 2001 with Numerous Times. “I had a perfect trip. I figured, from reading the Racing Form, if I come off the pace, it’s my best chance. So, when he breaks, and he breaks so relaxed, I was happy.
“I was behind [jockey, William] Buick, he has a nice horse (Naval Power), and I knew when it’s time for him to go, I just got to follow him. So, he followed him the whole way.”
“Money” Now 5 for 16
With Saturday’s win, Win for the Money, now 5-5-1 from 16 starts, earns automatic entry into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 2.
“I did say earlier, I thought he might surprise some people, he’s been really training well,” said assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. “Live Oak and on the turf, they have such a great history of turf horses, and he’d been doing really well. So, we were pretty confident.”
As for a run in the Breeders’ Cup, Sullivan noted the connections will speak before announcing their intentions.
“It’s a possibility, I would think.”
Bred in Kentucky by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Win for the Money, after a debut at Ellis Park, broke his maiden next time out at Woodbine on November 20, 2021, in a seven-furlong race over the main track.
