Modern Games and Ivar Feature in Woodbine Mile

Modern Games (IRE) and Ivar (BRZ) took very different paths to the Sept. 17 Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) but the connections of both now look to move on in lockstep to repeat engagements at the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November at Keeneland. Modern Games returns to North America for the first time since the controversial 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) in which he eventually ran—and won—for purse money only after a mixup behind the gate. Ivar's trainer, Paulo Lobo, is trying a new path to the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T), looking for improvement on fourth- and third-place finishes in that race. They are among 11 entered for the CA$1 million feature on a stakes-filled day on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at the suburban Toronto track. Modern Games, a Godolphin homebred Dubawi (IRE) colt, started his 2022 campaign winning the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) but is winless in three subsequent starts. In his most recent, Modern Games was second to the mighty Baaeed (GB) in the one-mile Qatar Sussex Sakes (G1) at Goodwood. Trainer Charlie Appleby made it no secret after the November victory at Del Mar that he'd love to bring the colt back for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland. The Woodbine race not only would be an ideal prep but also is a "Win and You're In," which would help Sheikh Mohammed cover travel expenses. "We feel that Modern Games will be suited to the E.P. Taylor Turf course because of his versatility," Appleby said. "He has shown he can perform on tracks internationally and in Europe... He's a progressive horse that every time he was set a challenge, he stepped up again." Ivar takes a new course toward the Breeders' Cup. In 2020, the 6-year-old Agnes Gold (JPN) entire finished third in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs, then won the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1T) at Keeneland before finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland. In 2021, Lobo brought Ivar to the Keeneland Turf Mile off a five-month layoff and he finished fourth—then was third in the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar. This time around, Lobo gave his star miler a softer prep-race challenge just up the Interstate Highway system from his training base in Lexington and he responded with an off-the-pace, off-the-layoff victory in the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial Stakes at Horseshoe Indianapolis July 9. Now, Lobo said he has every expectation Ivar will enjoy Woodbine's E.P. Taylor turf course. "When he would race in Argentina, he knows very well how to run a mile with one turn," said Lobo. "It reminds me a little bit of the course at San Isidro in Argentina, which he used to run on. He's very accustomed to that, so I believe he will enjoy the course at Woodbine. "His turn of foot is what comes to mind first for me," the trainer added. "He can really put in a powerful late run. Hopefully, there can be some strong early pace and it will set up nicely for him." Trainer Mark Casse has two in the field of 11—Get Smokin, who finished 16th in the Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments (G1) in Dubai March 16 and has not won in three starts since, and March to the Arch, fourth in last year's Mile and no factor in the recent Connaught Cup (G2T) and King Edward Stakes (G2T) over the course. In from England is Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Finest Sound (IRE), a 5-year-old Exceed and Excel (AUS) gelding. He comes off a runner-up finish in the William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes (G2) at Goodwood Aug. 27 and finished second in the Jebbel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan on Super Saturday. Homer Screen (BRZ) is winless in four California starts for trainer Neil Drysdale but the Adriano 6-year-old arrived in North America fresh from wins in two group stakes in his homeland. The 4-year-old mare Wakanaka (IRE) has been improving steadily through the season for trainer Bill Mott and returns from his Belmont Park training base to the site of a victory over course and distance in the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) July 24. The field also includes War Bomber (IRE), who jumped up to win the Seagram Cup (G3) on the Woodbine all-weather course in his last start but is unfamiliar with the green course; Mighty Heart, who has been inconsistent at top levels since winning the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown in 2020; Shirl's Speight, winner of three straight races to start the year, including the Maker's Mark Mile (G1T) at Keeneland, but winless in his three most recent starts. Also set is last year's winner, Town Cruise, who is 0-for-3 since and reported fifth in the King Edward. Trained by his owner, Brandon Greer, and ridden by Daisuke Fukumoto, he finished last year's running in a pedestrian 1:35.14. Blinkers come off.