Sep 16, 2007, 22:33 GMT
Toronto, ON - In a possible preview of next month's Breeders' Cup Mile, 9-5 post-time favorite Shakespeare rallied down the stretch to win Sunday's $1 million Woodbine Mile. Shakespeare, ridden by Garrett Gomez, covered the one-mile distance in 1:33.58.
Running in only his second race of the year, Shakespeare came from off the pace to win one of the top prep events for the Breeders' Cup. Owned by Dell Ridge Farm and William Schettine, the six-year-old found room along rail down the stretch to catch Kip Deville.
The pace in the Woodbine Mile was set by Remarkable News followed by Galantas and Le Cinquieme Essai in the 14 horse field. Kip Deville, with jockey Cornelio Velasquez, was running fourth, within easy striking distance of the leaders.
Kip Deville drew alongside of the lead pack coming out of the final turn and had a short lead with a furlong to go. Shakespeare came motoring down stretch on the inside as Kip Deville was running in the middle of the track.
Shakespeare caught the leader with a 110 yards to run and went on to post a one-length victory. Kip Deville held on to second followed by Galantas and Remarkable News. Becrux, the 2006 Woodbine Mile champ, finished sixth.
Completing the order of finish was Host, Becrux, Awesome Action, Sky Conqueror, Art Master, Arravale, Le Cinquieme Essai, Dead Red, Storm Caller and Estevan.
Shakespeare, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, earned $600,000 with the win to push his career bankroll to more than $1.3 million. He has now won seven of eight lifetime starts and has won two straight with Gomez in the saddle.
'He's a very, very talented horse and he has a lot of ability,' noted McLaughlin prior to the race. 'He's come back great. He does things effortlessly.'
His only loss came in last year's Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park when his was 12th behind Shirocco.
This concluded a great weekend for McLaughlin. On Saturday his Lear's Princess upset Rags to Riches at Belmont Park in winning the Gazelle Stakes.
Shakespeare returned $5.90, $4.30 and $3.40. Kip Deville paid $6.20 and $5.00, and Galantas paid $7.80 to show.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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