Saturday's C$1-million GI Woodbine Mile, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 31, looked a paceless race on paper, and as Kendrick Carmouche told his fellow Cajun Joe Talamo in a pre-race interview, the plan was to let 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Deterministic (Liam's Map) run away from gate one and make them play catch-up.However, no matter the shape of the race, fast, slow or neutral, class European milers are always going to have a major advantage in a sit-sprint contest, and so it proved, as Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and reigning Eclipse Award-winning turf male NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) (h, 5, Dubawi {Ire}–Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was set alight by his constant companion William Buick in upper stretch and ran past the front-runner with consummate ease to defend his title, 12 months on from a slow-starting success in last year's event over the inner turf while the E.P. Taylor turf course was under renovation.Deterministic looked to miss the kick fractionally, but with no other speed signed on, he was able to make the lead with no fuss whatsoever and got the opening sections in :24.36 and :47.89With Buick showing no signs of panic and knowing full well the Ferrari underneath him, Notable Speech was saved for his final dash through the long Woodbine straight and he grabbed Deterministic about 70 yards from home before edging clear. The final time was a crisp 1:33.86.“It was quite a tactical race and he showed his quality in the end,” Buick said. “He's so versatile, he's a great horse, he's a joy to ride. He's got all the attributes a champion miler needs.”Lifetime Record: 19-10-1-1. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby It was billed as a two-horse race, and it was!NOTABLE SPEECH ran down Deterministic in the $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1) under jockey @WilliamBuickX for Charlie Appleby and @godolphin. pic.twitter.com/GHXZRepeUZ— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 12, 2026 The post Back On The E.P. Taylor, Notable Speech Defends His Woodbine Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.