Ventura winning the Woodbine Mile (Can-IT)
Ventura became the first female to win the Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) (VIDEO) in 13 years when she swept past the field on the outside to post a one-length victory in the $954,742 event on Sept. 20.
Juddmonte Farms' 5-year-old daughter of Chester House had just one beaten at the top of the long Woodbine turf course homestretch. But, in her first start in more than five months, the Bobby Frankel trainee burst past the entire field while closing six wide in the lane under jockey Garrett Gomez. The final time of 1:32.04 set a stakes mark and was just off the course record of 1:31.84.
Ventura ran second in the Woodbine Mile last year, losing by 1 1/4 lengths over a yielding turf to Rahy's Attorney, who faded out of the money this time. Ventura went on to win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint by four lengths over Indian Blessing.
“Definitely, the soft ground hurt her chances (last year)," Gomez said. "She's got such a beautiful turn of foot, and on the soft ground she was not able to show that explosive move like you saw today. It takes away from her a little bit. To come off layoff, and to do what she did today, she is a tremendous mare.”
Ferneley, who was just about to pass the leading Jungle Wave when Ventura soared past them both, wound up second, with fast-closing Sterwins rallying for third.
Ventura earned $562,440 for the victory, boosting her career bankroll to $2,221,910. Since arriving in North America from England in late 2007, Ventura has won six of 11 starts, including three grade I races, and hasn't been worse than third. She has proven her versatility over both grass and synthetic surfaces.
.
