Dumaani Star
Dumaani Star, who contested the 2002 Atto Mile, is back for a second try. Two years ago, Jim McAleney guided the Castle Peak Farm colour-bearer to a 9th place finish at odds of 121-1 in the Atto, 5 1/2 lengths behind winner Good Journey. In three starts this year, the Kentucky-bred has picked up one check, a 4th place effort on the turf at Woodbine in June.
My Lucky Strike
"He's had a foot problem all year, a quarter crack. But right now, his feet are 100% and he's in good shape," said trainer John Cirillo. "I'm hoping he puts up one of his best races (in the Atto). I think he's going to run a big race." Cirillo also plans to add blinkers to his Atto hopeful, who, while winless in six starts this year, has run well in a couple of races, including a second place finish to Soaring Free in June in his seasonal debut.
Surging River
With 3 wins from his past 5 starts, including a driving 1 length score in the With Approval Stakes on August 8, Surging River is, well, surging, as he prepares for his biggest test to date. The son of Gone West has taken to the turf nine times in his 11-race career, fashioning an enviable record of four wins, three seconds and one third, for $247,329 in career purse earnings.
Christine's Outlaw
Trained by George Weaver, Christine's Outlaw won the one-mile, Grade 3 Poker Handicap, July 10 at Belmont Park in 1:32.2, in a thriller over another Atto rival, Millennium Dragon. However, in his last outing, the 4-year-old son of Wild Again was a puzzling ninth in the Fourstardave Handicap, August 28 at Saratoga.
Slew Valley
Slew Valley's most recent run at a mile came in May of last year. That game 3rd place finish to Tap the Admiral, who competed in the 2003 Atto, came in the fog at Belmont. But, if trainer Reade Baker has his way, the 7 time winner will have clear sailing when the real running starts on Sunday.
Millennium Dragon
He's finished second in 4 of his past 5 starts, but Kiaran McLaughlin trainee Millennium Dragon could be ready to slay the competition in Sunday's $1-million Atto Mile. When you factor in 9 of the bay's past 10 races have prompted triple-digit Beyer ratings, including a 108 'fig' in the Appleton Handicap to kick off his 2004 campaign, 'Millennium' is a serious threat in what will be his second appearance at Woodbine.
Mobil
After watching Mobil motor to victory in three of his past 4 races at Woodbine, trainer Mike Keogh certainly must like his chances as the Ontario-bred gears up for another shot at a huge payday. A winner of $1,446,034 lifetime, highest earner in the Atto field, he has 11 victories in 21 starts, four of them on the grass. His last race was a smashing 3 1/2 length score in the Halton Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on the turf in 1:46.97.
Perfect Soul
Although he's contested just five of his 19 lifetime starts, all on turf, at the flat mile distance, millionaire Perfect Soul, who is close to calling it a career, has made his mark at the distance. Fashioning a 2-1-1 record, including victories in the Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile last year and the Grade 2 Makers Mark Mile in 2004, the son of Sadler's Wells has only one out of the money finish at a mile, finishing ninth in the 2003 Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita.
Royal Regalia
The 6-year-old has started only twice this year and just a dozen times in his career, winning 5 of those outings. However, his two 2004 performances have been very impressive. The grey/roan gelding debuted on Canada Day, July 1 at Woodbine, and proceeded to smash the track record for one mile over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, getting the distance in 1:31.84. In his second start, the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, Royal Regalia led for most of the 1 1/16 miles, before being caught late by Nothing to Lose and Silver Tree.
Kathir
The lightly-campaigned 7-year-old son of Woodman was an impressive winner of the Barbados Gold Cup in March in Bridgetown, his first start for the Melnyks and trainer Todd Pletcher after being purchased privately in January. He heads into the Atto off a runner-up finish, a nose behind Gulch Approval in the Grade 3 Oceanport Handicap on August 8 at Monmouth, his only loss in four starts this year.
Soaring Free
Soaring Free has 4 main track wins, eight turf triumphs, 12 career wins from 20 starts and 16 Beyer figures of 90 or higher. When you saddle a horse like Soaring Free, it's hard to curb your enthusiasm. Soaring Free finished a hard-fought second to Touch of the Blues in last year's Atto, just a half-length back for top honours. Todd Kabel, Woodbine's leading rider, will once again get the call.
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