David Cotey’s roll of the dice might come good, as he sends long shot Riding the River to represent him in the Woodbine Mile
Trained by David Cotey for Dominion Racing, Riding the River is up against a pretty stiff line-up in the Grade 1 $1 million Woodbine Mile at Woodbine race course on 18 September, 2011, and the long shot status of his, doesn’t help him a lot.
However, trainer David Cotey is optimistic of his runner’s chances in the Woodbine turf race for 3-year-olds and above, and this assessment is backed by Riding the River’s prolific run at Woodbine race course in his last start.
On 28 August, 2011, the son of Wiseman’s Ferry, Riding the River, participated in the Grade 2 Play the King, under jockey R Dos Ramos, the pair on turf took on a distance of seven furlongs, and they closed in pretty ominously towards Havelock, who defeated
Riding the River to win the Play the King.
The Grade 2 turf race is a major prep race for the all important, heavily pursed Woodbine Mile, and to do well in the prep race means the runner has a pretty good shot at the race over a distance of mile.
Trainer David Cotey believes that Riding the River will enjoy the 1 mile distance in the Woodbine Mile, while reminiscing, that his best race as a 3-year-old came over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, and that too against older, experienced horses.
The competition is tough for Riding the River in the Woodbine Mile, and he will be heavily assessed over his performance in the $1 million event.
If he goes on to do well, he will be good enough, but Riding the River has gone on to run on grass thrice, each time troubled, but the ace runner is overdue to have a clean trip on turf.
His last tune up was pretty impressive for his standards, as Riding the River turned in five furlongs in 1 minute and 2.60 seconds.
Riding the River’s last win was in an allowance claimer, and he won that race, running on grass, over a distance of six furlongs at Woodbine on 5 June, 2011.
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