Ron Gierkink 14y

Court Vision takes Woodbine Mile score

Horse Racing

ETOBICOKE, Ontario -- Court Vision mowed down The Usual Q.T. in the late stages to take Sunday's Grade 1, $ 1 million Woodbine Mile.

Court Vision ($16.60) benefited from an astute ride by Robby Albarado, who saved ground through the turn while he and Court Vision raced in 12th in the 13-horse field. Zifzaf set most of the pace, setting fractions of 23.55, 46.53 and 1:10.36, with a host of runners in close proximity, including Grand Adventure and Woodbourne.

Court Vision began to rally exiting the turn, and was angled wide in the stretch. The Usual Q.T. took control at the eighth pole and seemed headed for victory, but Court Vision blew by with a sixteenth left and scored by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:34.62 over firm ground.

Woodbourne prevailed in a three-way photo for third, and the favored European shipper Famous Name wound up seventh.

"He ran an awful nice race," said Albarado. "I just wanted him to settle in early. I know he'd been off a while, but he'd been training forwardly at Saratoga this summer. I figured I'd stay out of his way, give him a good trip, and then he'd come home running, and he did."

The Woodbine Mile was a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In event, and the victory gained Court Vision an automatic berth into the BC Mile. Michael Iavarone, president of co-owner IEAH Stables, said Court Vision would start next in that Nov. 6 race at Churchill Downs.

Court Vision had been idle since finishing a lackluster sixth in the Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont June 5. Trainer Richard Dutrow said he gave Court Vision the summer off in order to wait for the cooler weather that the horse enjoys.

"He doesn't run good in the hot weather," said Dutrow. "The last time he ran at Belmont, it was very hot, and that's why we backed off him during the summertime. He needed a little bit of a break, and got one. He liked things up here. The weather was cool. He took to the one turn. He loved this grass course. He got an unbelievable ride, and a good trip. It was all good."

Court Vision collected $600,000 for IEAH Stables and Resolute Group Stable, which boosted his bankroll to $2,549,760.

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