The three European raiders for Saturday's GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile touched down at Toronto's Lester Pearson International Airport Monday evening following a flight from Amsterdam.
Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Stable is set to be represented by Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who cuts back in distance off an outstanding runner-up effort to Horse of the Year candidate Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Juddmonte International S. over an extended 10-furlong trip at York Aug. 17. Prior to that, the gelding proved the handy winner of the G2 Summer Mile at Ascot in July.
Sheikh Fahad al Thani's Qatar Racing is set to be represented by two runners in the Mile, which serves as a 'Win and You're In' feeder to the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Nov. 5. Mr. Owen (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) makes his second trip across the Atlantic, having finished a deceptively good sixth behind Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when pitched in against his elders. Lightly raced this term with just three previous runs under his belt, the Derry Meeting Farm-bred exits an excellent runner-up effort behind Vadamos (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) in the G3 Prix Messidor July 17. The form of that race was franked when the latter returned to annex the G1 Prix du Moulin Sept. 11.
Qatar Racing will also send out Arod (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the 2015 Summer Mile hero who was most recently beaten under two lengths into third in the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood Aug. 27.
A field of eight is expected for the Mile, topped by Eclipse Award winner Tepin (Bernstein), who makes her first start since annexing the G1 Queen Anne S. on opening day of Royal Ascot June 14. She will look to give trainer Mark Casse his first winner of the Mile and attempts to join Ventura (Chester House) as female winners of the event. Also probable are: Full Mast (Mizzen Mast); Glenville Gardens (Street Cry {Ire}); Passion For Action (Speightstown); and Tower of Texas (Street Sense).
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