Cumani Seeks a Big Day at Woodbine

Things are really starting to heat up on the turf in Toronto as an impressive weekend of racing is set to unfold at Woodbine. Popular European trainer Luca Cumani has dispatched his five-year-old bay gelding Forte Dei Marmi for a run at the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.

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John Velasquez is confirmed for the ride.

The move represents a real risk – not just from shipping the son of Selkirk overseas but the fact that he is dropping back in trip from the classic distance of 1m2f to the mile. The middle distances are especially competitive in North America but European runners have a great record in the Grade 1 contests at Woodbine.

Several other European contenders are heading over and they include Side Glance along with Dance And Dance. They are all seeking an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile – which would see them take on living legend Goldikova.

Forte Dei Marmi is priced at 8/1 in the morning line. Courageous Cat is considered the favourite at a 7/2 price tag.

The Northern Dancer Turf Stakes is also set to unfold at Woodbine this weekend and Irish-bred Wigmore Hall (a four-year-old son of High Chaparral) will be looking to build on his fourth-place finish in the Arlington Million. He won the Group 2 Jebel Hatta at Meydan this year and also managed a third place finish to Presvis in the Dubai Duty Free. Punters will be able to find him around 5/2 with most major bookmakers.