Rahy's Attorney holds court in Woodbine Mile shocker

Rahy's Attorney (black blinkers) poached an unassailable lead in the Woodbine Mile (Michael Burns Photo/Woodbine Entertainment Group) Locally based RAHY'S ATTORNEY (Crown Attorney) hurled back a formidable American invasion in Sunday's $1,013,938 Woodbine Mile S. (Can-G1), pulling a 12-1 upset over the Bobby Frankel-trained filly Ventura (Chester House), with the raging 1-2 favorite Kip Deville (Kipling) only fifth. Rahy's Attorney, whose previous career highlight came in the Connaught Cup S. (Can-G3), reeled off one mile on yielding turf in 1:36 to secure an automatic berth in the October 25 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. If the Ontario-bred ponies up the extra $180,000 in fees to take up the offer, he would be making his first start away from Woodbine. Reigning Breeders' Cup Mile winner Kip Deville roared out of the gate, but then allowed Just Rushing (Wild Rush) to take over. As Just Rushing dictated splits of :24 2/5 and :48 1/5, pressed by Kip Deville, the stalking Rahy's Attorney enjoyed a ground-saving trip. Ice Bear (Maria's Mon) was also forwardly placed, while Ventura rated farther off the pace. Rounding the turn, Slade Callaghan sent Rahy's Attorney forward, and the gelding enthusiastically burst clear while getting six furlongs in 1:11 4/5.

Kip Deville tried to go after him at the top of the stretch, but was unable

to pick up and was soon beaten. Meanwhile, Ventura had crept closer on the turn,

and she was traveling conspicuously well in midstretch. When Ventura was asked

in earnest, the filly gave game chase and momentarily looked like a danger.

Rahy's Attorney had a great deal left in reserve, though, and he kept finding

more en route to a 1 1/4-length victory. The Ian Black charge rewarded his

backers with payouts of $27.30, $8.70 and $9.30.

"I knew my horse could last the distance," Callaghan said. "So I made an

early move with him. I had to swing him out a little bit to get by Just Rushing,

then back to the rail. This horse loves the rail. I thought he (Kip Deville) was

heads and tails above the rest of the field in here. But my horse had home

advantage."

Ventura crossed the wire 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Just Rushing, who stayed on

doggedly after being swamped on the turn. The runner-up gave back $4.20 and

$4.90 as the 5-2 second choice, while the 16-1 Just Rushing returned $9.90 to

show. The exactor totaled $107.60, the triactor was worth $757.90, and with Ice

Bear finishing with some interest late for fourth at 22-1, the 2-8-3-6

superfecta swelled to $4,481.20. Kip Deville came next and was trailed by Mulmur

(Smart Strike), Palladio (Lycius) and Wollemi Pine (Aljabr).

Kip Deville's performance left his connections baffled.

"He did not try today," jockey Cornelio Velasquez said. "I don't know. He

wasn't running today."

"We can't explain anything we he didn't fire," trainer Richard Dutrow said.

"He had everything go his way. I'll try to figure out what his excuse is. I'm

sure he's got one."

Rahy's Attorney more than doubled his career bankroll to $1,084,234 while

advancing his record to 17-7-2-4. A perfect four-for-four at a mile, he had

captured the Vice Regent S. and Bunty Lawless S. at this course and distance

last season. After taking the 1 1/16-mile Connaught Cup in May, Rahy's Attorney

stretched out to 1 1/2 miles in the Singspiel S. (Can-G3), finishing third, and

most recently reported home fourth in the 1 1/4-mile Nijinsky S. (Can-G2).

The four-year-old is campaigned by his breeder, Ellie Boje Farm, along with

Mitch Peters, Dean Read and Jean and Jim MacLellan. He is out of the winning

Rahy's Hope (Rahy), making him a half-brother to the stakes-placed Town Thief

(Cape Town), an unraced juvenile filly named Hoping for a Rahy (Rossini) and a

2008 filly by Eishin Storm. This is the family of Grade 2 queen India

(Hennessy), and further back, multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Memories of

Silver (Silver Hawk). Rahy's Attorney's fifth dam is the influential broodmare

Golden Trail (Hasty Road), whose descendants include major sire Dynaformer

(Roberto) and champions Sunshine Forever (Roberto) and Ryafan (Lear Fan).