The undercard of the Woodbine Mile featured two other rich graded stakes races on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. The $750,000 Northern Dancer Turf (G1) featured a field of 9 older horses going 1 1/2 miles. Gran Premio di Milano winner Quijano was sent off as the 2-1 favorite over 3-1 second choice Better Talk Now, second in the Sword Dancer last time out, and 7-2 third choice Champs Elysees, sixth in both the United Nations at Monmouth and the Charlie Whittingham at Hollywood.
Cloudy's Knight went to the front on the clubhouse turn and set a slow pace of 25.46, 52.09, 1:17.86, and 1:43.24 while being stalked by French Beret to his outside. On the far turn, Cloudy's Knight tired badly to eventually finish seventh, allowing French Beret to take over the lead at the top of the lane, getting 1 1/4 miles in 2:07.80. However, he too would tire from the pace battle up front. Top local hope Seaside Retreat, who stalked the pace in fourth early, came out three wide for the drive and took over the lead in mid stretch. Quijano, who stalked the pace in third, came on late to get the lead at the 1/16 pole, but Champs Elysees, seventh early, closed with a rush on the outside to prevail in a photo finish, completing the 1 1/2 miles on yielding turf in 2:32.02. It was just 1/2 a length back to Seaside Retreat third.
Results Chart
Woodbine Mile (G1) results - the feature race on the card
