Trainer looking to record a big score in $800,000 Woodbine Mile race

TORONTO — Trainer Vito Armata has been here before.

On Saturday, Armata will send out Vanish to run in the $800,000 Woodbine Mile as a 20/1 longshot — the longest early pick in the nine-horse field. The four-year-old will attempt to become the first claimer to win the prestigious turf event.

But 16 years ago, Armata earned the biggest score of his training career when T J’s Lucky Moon registered a stunning Queen’s Plate victory as an 82/1 longshot. The three-year-old gelding paid a whopping $166 for a $2 win ticket, second only to the $193.35 Maternal Pride paid in winning the 1924 edition of the race.

“Well you know, everyone dreams about being a winner, right,” Armata said. “Everybody wants to win.

“But I won the Queen’s Plate. It happens.”

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And just for good measure, Vanish is in the same stall — No. 9 — that T J’s Lucky Moon called home prior to his stunning Plate win.

“I’m not superstitious,” Armata said, straight-faced. “I let my horse do the talking.”

The winner Saturday will secure a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. In 2017, Woodbine Mile champion World Approval also captured the Breeders’ Cup Mile, joining Wise Dan (2012, 2013) as the only horses to accomplish that feat in the same year.

Vanish, with jockey Ademar Santos aboard, will break from the No. 4 post. American-bred Delta Prince, the 5/2 early favourite owned by Stronach Stables, will start from the No. 3 post while Oscar Performance, the 7/2 second pick, goes from the No. 5 post.

Lord Glitters, the 4/1 third choice, drew the No. 6 post.

Vanish was coming off an allowance win when claimed for $40,000 from the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. The move paid immediate dividends as Vanish rallied to finish second to Mr Havercamp — who’ll start Saturday’s race from the No. 5 post — in the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes turf race at 54/1 odds.

But Armata said Vanish was almost a race scratch.

“The turf was soft, he was slipping and sliding the whole way, he couldn’t really grab the turf,” Armata said. “I said to one of the partners we might have to scratch the horse.

“But we didn’t, he ran a beautiful race and here we are.”

Mr Havercamp will attempt to become the first Ontario-bred and sired horse to win the Mile since Rahy’s Attorney in 2008. His sire, Court Vision, won the Woodbine Mile in 2010 and Breeders’ Cup Mile the following year.

Mr Havercamp has won six of nine career starts and two of three in 2018. He’s also hit the winner’s circle in four of six turf races in his career.

Vanish is owned by Eight Star Racing Stables Inc., a partnership formed this year that consists of Toronto businessmen Joe Mazarese, Lorenzo Scala, Mike Dattori and Mike Fronte. The group’s name comes from all four having two children apiece.

Scala has owned two stakes winners (Lake Secret, Genius Kinshasa) while Mazarese has had one (Healing Knowledge). All three horses were trained by Armata.

Vanish has finished in the money in five of six races this year (two wins, twice second, once third) and seven times in 10 career starts. Armata said Vanish has shown he’s capable of coming off the pace to win.

“He’s got a beautiful running style because he’s come from behind,” he said. “If we could get a good position, we can go from there.

“It’s not easily done, it’s tough.”

Armata is fine with Vanish heading into the Mile well under everyone’s radar.

“You know what? He’s a nice horse,” he said. “He broke his maiden in a stake as a two-year-old and I really like the horse.

“He was in very good shape when I got him and he’s training well, doing good. Whatever will be will be, you know?”

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press