The thunderous roar of the crowd, the crisp fall air, and the anticipation of a million-dollar prize: it's time for the Woodbine Mile. This year, the spotlight shines intensely on one horse, the defending champion, Win for the Money.
He captured the hearts of fans and stunned handicappers with his upset victory last year, and now he returns to Woodbine's hallowed turf course with a chance to make history. Repeating a Grade 1 win, especially in a race as prestigious and competitive as the Woodbine Mile, is a monumental task. The field is stacked with international talent, sharp local runners, and rising stars.
The question on everyone's mind isn't just "can he do it?" but "how will he do it?" For those looking to place a wager, understanding his path to victory requires a deep dive into his past performances and his current form. We'll break down his 2024 Woodbine Mile performance, analyze his post-win campaign, and assess his chances in this year's installment. If you're looking for the best Woodbine Mile odds and a comprehensive guide to Woodbine Mile betting, you've come to the right place.
Win for the Money's victory in the 2024 Woodbine Mile was a masterclass in patient riding and a testament to his sheer determination. Entering the race as a 13-1 longshot, he faced a formidable group of rivals, including the heavily-favored European shipper, Naval Power. The pace was brisk, but jockey Patrick Husbands kept Win for the Money perfectly relaxed and positioned him smartly on the rail, conserving his energy for the late kick.
As the field rounded the final turn and straightened for the stretch run, a critical hole opened up on the inside. While Naval Power hesitated and began to falter, Win for the Money shot through the opening like a guided missile, unleashing a powerful turn of foot that carried him to a decisive 1½-length victory. His final time of 1:32.11 was impressive, a sharp reminder of his ability to perform at the highest level. This performance was not just a win; it was a statement. He showed the racing world that he possessed the grit and the tactical speed to beat the best in the business. Anyone analyzing the race should have recognized the immense potential he demonstrated that day. This win propelled him from a graded-stakes contender to a Grade 1 winner, a pivotal moment in his career. The Woodbine Mile betting landscape changed dramatically for him after that race, as he earned the respect of handicappers and bettors alike.
Winning a race like the Woodbine Mile elevates a horse's career, but it also places a target on their back. Following his stunning victory, Win for the Money faced a new level of competition and scrutiny. His campaign after Woodbine has been a mixed bag of respectable efforts against top-tier companies and some frustrating finishes. He went on to compete in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar, a race that proved too challenging for him as he finished 10th.
The international field was simply too deep, and he couldn't replicate his Woodbine form. However, he showed glimmers of his talent in subsequent starts. He finished a solid third in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park and a credible seventh in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational earlier this year.
More recently, his form has picked up. He recorded back-to-back third-place finishes in the Kelso Stakes and the Fourstardave Stakes at Saratoga. While he has not found the winner's circle since his Woodbine heroics, these recent performances tell a more encouraging story. He has consistently earned high speed figures and has shown he can compete with and finish on the board against top-class milers.
This upward trend in his form is a significant factor to consider when you bet on the Woodbine Mile. His trainer, Mark Casse, a master at preparing horses for repeat attempts, has obviously been working to get him back to peak condition for this specific race. The fact that he has not won since last year's Woodbine Mile might actually inflate his Woodbine Mile odds, creating a fantastic value opportunity for savvy bettors.
A champion horse is only as good as the team behind him. In the case of Win for the Money, that team consists of Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse and multiple Sovereign Award-winning jockey Patrick Husbands.
Mark Casse is a legend at Woodbine, a master of preparing his horses for the biggest races on the calendar. He has won the Woodbine Mile a remarkable three times, and he is a record holder in his own right. The Casse-Husbands partnership is a well-oiled machine.
They have an innate understanding of each other and of the nuances of the Woodbine course. Their shared experience and success give Win for the Money a significant edge over his rivals. They know his quirks, his preferences, and most importantly, his capacity for a brilliant late surge. For those who study the sport closely, the trainer-jockey combination is often a deciding factor in a Grade 1 race. You can’t put a price on the home-track advantage and the level of familiarity this team possesses. This is a crucial piece of the puzzle for anyone considering the Woodbine Mile odds and making a smart Woodbine Mile betting decision. The presence of these two professionals at the helm makes him a more compelling contender than his recent form might suggest at first glance.
While Win for the Money possesses the class and the history, he will face a fiercely competitive field. The international challenge is formidable, led by Notable Speech, a European Group 1 winner with a formidable pedigree. He has been in excellent form, finishing a close third in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile and narrowly missing a win in a French Group 1 this year.
Another intriguing contender is One Stripe, a multiple Group 1 winner from South Africa making his North American debut. His trainer, H. Graham Motion, has an excellent record with foreign shippers, and jockey John R. Velazquez, the all-time leading rider in the Woodbine Mile, will ride him.
On the local front, Gas Me Up enters the race in top form, fresh off a win in the King Edward Stakes, a key local prep race. His speed and recent progression make him a genuine threat. We also have My Boy Prince, another runner from the Mark Casse barn, who has shown flashes of brilliance. The pace of the race will play a crucial role. With several horses possessing early speed, including Stanley House, the race could set up perfectly for a closer like Win for the Money.
The depth of this field makes Woodbine Mile odds particularly enticing, with a wide range of horses offering compelling value. Handicappers will have their work cut out for them, but for astute bettors, this presents a perfect opportunity to find a profitable angle.
Win for the Money's best chance at a repeat victory lies in a scenario that mirrors his win from last year: a strong, contested pace that allows him to settle off the leaders and unleash his devastating closing kick. Trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands know this strategy intimately. They will likely instruct him to avoid getting bogged down on the rail but to save ground and remain within striking distance.
The key will be timing his move perfectly, waiting until the leaders begin to tire before asking him for his best. A repeat victory would not only cement his legacy but also showcase the masterful training and riding that went into his preparation. For a horse like Win for the Money, who thrives on a fast pace, a well-run race is his biggest asset. His recent form, while winless, has shown he is still capable of finishing with power, and the presence of so many other speed horses in the field suggests he will get the setup he needs. Smart bettors looking to bet on Woodbine Mile will pay close attention to the early fractions, knowing that a hot pace will only improve his chances. This is the beauty of turf racing: a slight change in race dynamics can completely alter the outcome. This year's Woodbine Mile promises to be an epic showdown, a true clash of champions with a compelling storyline at its core.
Win for the Money is more than just a betting commodity; he is a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of horse racing. His 2024 victory was a feel-good story for the ages, proving that a longshot can prevail against the odds with the right combination of talent, training, and racing luck. A repeat performance would be truly historic, solidifying his place among the great turf milers to grace the Woodbine course. It would put him in the company of legends like Wise Dan, the only two-time winner of this prestigious race.
The Woodbine Mile has a rich history of producing champions, and every year, a new horse writes their name in the record books. The Woodbine Mile odds may not favor him as the top choice, but as we know, the odds don't tell the whole story. His pedigree, his connection to the Woodbine track, and the masterful hands of his trainer and jockey all point to a horse ready to make a run at history. When you bet on the Woodbine Mile, you are not just wagering on a horse; you are betting on a story, a narrative that unfolds with every stride.
The 2025 Woodbine Mile promises a spectacle of world-class turf racing, and Win for the Money stands at the center of the narrative. He arrives on the track with an air of quiet confidence, a seasoned veteran who knows this course and understands what it takes to win. He has shown flashes of his brilliance in a challenging post-win campaign, and his connections have masterfully timed his return to his favorite track. With an honest pace likely to develop, he should get every chance to replicate his stunning 2024 performance.
This isn't just a race; it's a date with destiny. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the action. Whether you are a seasoned bettor or a curious newcomer, the Woodbine Mile odds offer a captivating challenge. Get ready to witness a potential piece of history. Secure your spot, sign up, and get ready to place your bets on what promises to be the race of the year. This is where champions are made, and this is where you can win.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
