The $1 million Woodbine Mile has attracted an excellent field for the 25th running, including Raging Bull, Set Piece and the Mark Casse trio of Olympic Runner, March to the Arch and Ride a Comet.
Horse racing betting markets are available for the Woodbine Mile this Saturday, which is the must-see race of the weekend.
The winner gets an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup, so there’s more than just money on the line.
Raging Bull is All Class
Chad Brown lines up the 6-year-old Raging Bull, who already has three Grade I wins on his record.
The son of Dark Angel won the 2018 Hollywood Derby before winning the 2020 Shoemaker Mile. Placings in the Maker’s Mark Mile and Keeneland Turf would follow before he saluted in the 2021 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland.
His efforts since included a second placing in the Poker Stakes, and despite running sixth last start, he could get back to his best.
Trainer Mark Casse sends trio to take on Raging Bull, Set Piece in Woodbine Mile
Read: https://t.co/fgMwi2s2du via @DRFGierkink #DRF pic.twitter.com/MEMj9m2Kms
— Daily Racing Form (@DailyRacingForm) September 16, 2021
Having champion European jockey Frankie Detorri in the saddle is a bonus, so we’re not surprised the sportsbook has Raging Bull as favorite.
“I think he’s a very exciting horse,” Dettori said. “A 6-year-old, he’s raced in all the best mile races in America. He’s probably going to take me around better than I will ride him around. He knows the game. He’s very solid. I’m pleased to get the call. I’m looking forward to it.”
He also has experience running in the Woodbine Mile, which came in 2019 when he ran third behind El Tormenta and Got Stormy. It’s good form for this race, so we wouldn’t leave Raging Bull out of calculations.
Casse Trio Ready to Strike
Mark Casse has a good chance to win the Woodbine Mile with his three-pronged attack.
Leading the way is 5-1 chance Ride a Comet, who missed the Grade II King Edward after concerns about his training efforts.
“I didn’t run him in the [King Edward] because we just didn’t feel like he was training as good as he can,” Casse told Daily Racing Form. “Since then, he’s trained very good. He’s very good right now. When he comes with his ‘A’ game, he’s as good as anybody.”
Ride a Comet hasn’t won since January when taking out the Tropical Turf at Gulfstream Park. It was his third consecutive win after scoring in the Grade II Del Mar Derby and Kennedy Road Stakes, so the class is there.
Trainer Mark Casse sends trio to take on Raging Bull, Set Piece in Woodbine Mile
Read: https://t.co/fgMwi2s2du via @DRFGierkink #DRF pic.twitter.com/MEMj9m2Kms
— Daily Racing Form (@DailyRacingForm) September 16, 2021
His effort for second behind Raging Bull in the Maker’s Mark Mile is a good form guide and bettors get each-way odds worth taking.
Stablemate March to the Arch ran second in the Woodbine Mile last year, and has since added a third placing in the King Edward behind stablemate Olympic Runner.
“He was coming off a nine-furlong race and may have been a little flat,” Casse said. “He’s probably a little better horse with four or five weeks between races, so he’s had plenty of time to recover. Patrick Husbands is excited about how well he’s training.”
The third Casse runner is Olympic Runner, who won the King Edward. He was an upset winner, but he shouldn’t be discounted in betting online markets.
Set Piece Ready to Execute
Set Piece is on the second line of betting after finishing second in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.
The son of Dansili won the Wise Dan Stakes when beating Somelikeithotbrown and Ride a Comet, so that’s a good form guide for the Woodbine Mile.
Not having experience racing on this track isn’t ideal, but bookmakers believe the Brad Cox-trained runner will be right around the mark.
He is paying 5-2, and he should get every chance in the run with Joel Rosario in the saddle.
