The 39th edition of the $1 million Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, offering an automatic entry into the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, features a competitive field of eight mature male horses at Woodbine in Toronto, Canada. Highlighted by Notable Speech, a six-time Group/Grade 1 winner who secured victories in last year’s Woodbine and Breeders’ Cup Mile races, the lineup also includes Deterministic, a four-time Grade 1 winner currently on a remarkable six-race winning streak, all in graded stakes events.
This high-profile Woodbine Mile is part of four Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” races in Saturday’s 12-race card, with each winner earning a fully paid berth to their corresponding championship races scheduled at Keeneland on October 30-31. Notably, five Woodbine Mile champions have also captured the Breeders’ Cup Mile title in the same year, including three trained by Charlie Appleby. Wise Dan is the only dual Woodbine Mile winner, having completed the Woodbine-Breeders’ Cup double in both 2012 and 2013. More recent double winners include World Approval (2017), and Appleby’s trainees Modern Games (2022), Master of The Seas (2023), and Notable Speech (2025). Tepin and Court Vision are unique in winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile before claiming the Woodbine Mile. This year’s contenders also feature Gas Me Up, a two-time G2 King Edward victor, and European newcomers Archivist and Silius, making their North American debut.
Here is a rundown of the contenders from the inside post out:
- Deterministic, a 5-year-old son of Liam’s Map, arrives off six straight graded stakes victories at Saratoga and Belmont with jockey Kendrick Carmouche riding. Trained previously by the late Christophe Clement and now by his son Miguel, Deterministic has won the G1 Manhattan and G1 Fourstardave twice.
- Gas Me Up, a 6-year-old Ontario-bred Hard Spun gelding trained by Fraser Aebly, recently captured the G2 King Edward at Woodbine and will have jockey Aebly aboard again. He finished third in last year’s Woodbine Mile under trainer Kevin Attard.
- Morning line favorite Notable Speech, a 5-year-old British-bred son of Dubawi, returns to North America for the first time since his April effort in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, he has added two Group 1 wins since his Breeders’ Cup triumph, including the recent City of York Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths.
- Like Notable Speech, Archivist, also by Dubawi, arrives off a dominant 7 ¼ length win in England’s G3 Strensall Stakes. The 4-year-old gelding will make his North American debut for trainer Al Jehani Hamad, with Joao Moreira slated to ride for the first time at Woodbine. Archivist boasts an impressive record at the mile distance and could excel on the recently renovated one-turn E. P. Taylor turf course.
- Irish Aces, trained by Brendan Walsh, makes his third straight Woodbine appearance after solid runner-up finishes in the G2 Connaught Cup and G2 King Edward to Gas Me Up.
- Silius, another European Dubawi, arrives off a G3 Prix Messidor win in France and will be ridden by John Velazquez in his North American debut.
- Itsastormymonday, the longest shot on the morning line at 30-1, comes off two wins at the optional claiming level at Woodbine and has shown affinity for the Woodbine turf course.
- Pierre, the other Ontario-bred, recently switched to trainer David Jacobson and narrowly missed in his latest race at Saratoga. Javier Castellano will have the mount.
Race Analysis and Key Contenders:
While this year’s Woodbine Mile may appear dominated by Deterministic and Notable Speech, Archivist represents an intriguing dark horse. The race’s return to a one-turn mile on the turf could favor Archivist, who has excelled at similar distances on one-turn courses in England. His dominant win in the G3 Strensall Stakes over a left-handed track parallels North American racing conditions. Archivist has an outstanding turf mile record and connections experienced with North American success, making him a compelling value at 6-1 odds or longer. The import of top international rider Joao Moreira also adds confidence in his chances.
Deterministic’s unprecedented streak of six consecutive graded stakes wins, including four Grade 1s, underscores his elite talent. Since May 2025, he has repeatedly bested top competition, including multiple Grade 1 winners, often with impressive speed figures. His front-running style could provide a tactical edge, potentially allowing him to control this race alone early. Trainer Miguel Clement’s solid record at Woodbine further bolsters confidence in Deterministic’s chances to extend his winning streak to seven.
Notable Speech’s early career brilliance saw him claim multiple Group 1 titles and nearly win the Breeders’ Cup Mile as a younger horse. Despite some uneven results at age five, he remains a formidable force, returning in fine form after recent Group 1 victories in England. Appleby and Buick’s history of success at Woodbine strengthens his credentials, although his short odds might limit betting value.
Other runners include proven graded stakes competitors Gas Me Up and Irish Aces, as well as North American newcomers, each adding depth to the field.
Top Win Contenders in Order of Preference:
- Archivist (GB)
- Deterministic
- Notable Speech (GB)
Grade 1, $1 Million Canadian Woodbine Mile
Saturday, September 12 – Woodbine, Toronto, Canada
Race 9 – Post Time 5:20 p.m. ET
Open to 3-Year-Olds and Up – One Mile (Turf)
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on September 10, 2026, in the Horseplayers section. To add Paulick Report as a preferred source, click here.
Fan Take: This year’s Woodbine Mile is a thrilling showcase of top international turf talent and highlights the growing global appeal of North American turf racing. The outcome could not only reshape the Breeders’ Cup Mile conversation but also reinforce Woodbine’s status as a premier destination for world-class mile runners.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
