Ventura came second to Rahy’s Attorney in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile last year. The million dollar race has attracted a number of prominent horses- many of whom are turf or all-weather specialists.

This is a Breeders Cup Win and You’re In race with the winner getting a birth in the Breeders Cup Mile at Santa Anita.

The main challenger for Ventura looks like the stylish Jungle Wave coming out of Katalpa Farm under Sid Attard. He knows how to get the job done and I’m a big fan of a number of Attard’s horses. He’s the type of trainer that you feel like you owe a beer whenever you see him- as his charges have certainly paid for a few of yours over the years. Jungle Wave is another Turf Terror that is relatively lightly-raced for A 4 year-old. He scored at the end of August in the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes over the turf at Woodbine. His previous run was the Bold Venture Stakes where he slotted in second in a field of 5 to Fatal Bullet.

On recent form, I like Jungle Wave, but I don’t know if he can measure up to the class of Ventura. This is a big race and there will be plenty of quality competition involved in the race. Realistically, the morning line favourite will likely to be last year’s winner Rahy’s Attorney. This five year-old comes into the race 2-1-1-6 for the year with that sixth place blip coming in the Grade 2 Sky Classic Stakes. I’m going to give him a bit of a pass on this one as the race was won by Marchfield, who Rahy’s Attorney defeated in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes. Interestingly enough, his two other runs this year came in the Grade 3 Connaught Cup, where he finished 2nd to Sterwins. He then followed that up by beating Sterwins in the Grade 2 King Edward Stakes a month later.

So, he either loses to a horse and then beats that horse, or he beats that horse and then loses to it. Considering him and Ventura finished 1-2 last year, we could draw a conclusion that Ventura is ready to take a victory here. Trainer Ian Black has likely had his eye on this prestigious Grade 1 all year and he will have Rahy’s Attorney raring to go.

Even though the draw hasn’t even happened yet, I am going to be backing Rahy’s Attorney and Ventura in an each-way exactor.

The morning line for the 2009 Canadian Derby has been released and the favourite, Stylish Citizen, has been given a plum slot. Accordingly, his price is now 8/5 and many expect him to be odds on once we get to post time. He’s the winner of the Charlie Barley Stakes and was bred in Kentucky. This will be his first run on the dirt and I’m wondering just how that’s going to factor into the equation. He’s struck in his last two and will be attracting a lot of money.

Stylish Citizen will have Jim McAleney on top and he’s won the Canadian Derby before with Organ Grinder.

I’ve got my eye on ScorewithCater. There isn’t as much room to manouver on this track as there is at Woodbine and I think that favours ScorewithCater who is used to the tighter, tougher surfaces of New Mexico. In fact, he bested Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird in the Borderland Derby. He’ll have Rickey Walcott on top and that doesn’t detract from my confidence one bit. He’s got a solid listing at 2/1 but I expect that to rise to around 7/2. I think he’s a good value bet.

In fact, the exacta market will likely be dominated by these two going each way.

I’m using Northlands specialist Cool Diablo on the bottom end of my exotics and I think his 10/1 finishes things off nicely behind these two strong contenders. Another selection to keep your eyes on is Crowned Royal who was just purchased by John Stavropoulos and Cory Wagner in Chicago specifically with this race in mind. He is 15/1 and is my long-shot winner. Try Tommy Danzigger if you’re looking for an outside candidate, but I think he’s a better option on the show.

FIELD FOR THE 2009 CANADIAN DERBY

#1 Mr. Shadar (AB) 15/1

#2 Theglow (KY) 20/1

#3 It Happened Again (KY) 4/1

#4 Tease the Tiger (ON) 20/1

#5 Stylish Citizen (KY) 8/5

#6 Tommy Danzigger (BC) 6/1

#7 Scorewithcater (KY) 2/1

#8 Quiet Approach (MD) 30/1

#9 Cool Diablo (AB) 10/1

#10 Almost Time (BC) 10/1

#11 Bronze Barbarian (AB) 30/1

#12 Crowned Royal (KY) 15/1