2008 Canadian International Entries

The $2 million Pattison Canadian International (G1) is Canada's richest horse race. The 1 1/2 mile trip over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course has a rich history including such famous winners as Sky Classic, Dahlia, Youth, Chief Bearhart, and of course Secretariat in his final career race in 1973. This year the International is one of four Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" stakes races to be run over the Woodbine turf, with the winners earning berths in the respective Breeders' Cup Championship race at Santa Anita in 3 week's time. On Wednesday, entries were taken and post positions were drawn, with Eric Lamaze, Olympic gold and silver medal winner for Canada in the equestrian competition at the 2008 Games in Beijing, serving as the honorary drawmaster assisting racing secretary Steve Lym with the proceedings. Entries for the entire card from Equibase.

Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2) winner Doctor Dino is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the 10-horse field for trainer Richard Gibson, and gets new jockey Frankie Dettori who has won the International twice, with Mutafaweq in 2000 and Sulamani in 2004. Gibson said, "Every time I wake up and see him, he's just as impressive on the training track and he is in his races. He's a remarkable athlete that he can put out of the box every day with a big smile on his face. He loves his work, he loves what he does. His professionalism is unique." In to challenge him include Northern Dancer Turf (G1) winner Champs Elysees at 7-2, trained by Bobby Frankel. Jockey Garrett Gomez gets the call on Saturday. Frankel said, "I thought he ran well (in the Northern Dancer) but his previous 2 races were very disappointing, he had excuses. He's very good right now. I think he's going to run an even better race."

There are 3 other Win and You're In races on the undercard, all on the turf. The $300,000 Summer Stakes (G3) features juveniles going 1 mile looking for an entry in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, followed by the $500,000 Nearctic Stakes (G2) for older horses sprinting 6 furlongs in hopes of running in the new Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Finally, the $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) features the distaffers going 10 furlongs with the Filly and Mare Turf as the target. New York bred J'ray is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line, exiting a win in the major local prep for this race, the Canadian Stakes (G2) after winning the Matchmaker (G3) at Monmouth. Joe Bravo, who was aboard for both wins, gets the return call for trainer Todd Pletcher. Toque de Queda, third in the Beverly D at Arlington last out, is the 7-2 second choice for trainer Mikel Delzangles and new jockey Garrett Gomez. Godolphin Racing will be represented by 4-1 third choice Folk Opera, exiting a poor 8th place showing in the Prix Vermeille (G1) at Longchamp after winning the Prix Jean Romanet (G2) at Deauville. Regular rider Frankie Dettori will be aboard the daughter of Singspiel for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The Canadian International is the 10th race in an 11-race card at Woodbine on Saturday, going to post at 5:48 PM EDT. ESPN will be broadcasting all four Woodbine stakes races live, along with the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity and the Shadwell Mile from Keeneland, in a special 2 hour telecast from 4:00 - 6:00 PM ET, in High Definition.

Free past performances are available online for all four stakes races:
Canadian International (DRF)
Canadian International (BRIS)
E.P. Taylor Stakes
Nearctic Stakes
Summer Stakes

Below are the entries for the 71st Canadian International with their post positions, connections, and odds. All horses will carry 126 pounds except Marlang who will carry 119 pounds because he is a 3-year-old.