A field of 10 older horses went to post on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine in the 71st edition of the $2 million Pattison Canadian International (G1), the richest horse race in Canada. The 1 1/2 mile turf feature is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" program, awarding the winning horse an automatic entry in the Breeders' Cup Turf in 3 week's time. Grand Prix de Deauville 2nd place finisher Doctor Dino was the 7-5 favorite over Northern Dancer Turf winner Champs Elysees at 7-2 and Northern Dancer runner-up Quijano at 4-1. Participants and spectators enjoyed a typical October day at Woodbine, cloudy skies, a light breeze, and temperatures in the upper 50's.
Lucarno and jockey Jimmy Fortune opened up a 3 length advantage on the clubhouse turn getting the initial quarter mile in 24.91. Jockey Richard Dos Ramos aboard Marlang joined Lucarno entering the backstretch and the pair battled to the top of the stretch through fractions of 50.63, 1:15.61, 1:40.10, and 2:04.60, with Marsh Side stalking them in third the whole way. The pace duel took its toll on both as they tired badly entering the stretch to eventually finish well back. Jockey Javier Castellano aboard Marsh Side, who had saved ground on the rail the whole way, passed the tiring pacesetters at the 3/16 pole and opened up a 1 1/2 length advantage in mid stretch. Spice Route, ninth early, closed with a rush down the center of the course but was left with too much ground to make up, as Marsh Side cruised under the line 1 3/4 lengths in front in a time of 2:28.73. It was just a neck back Champs Elysees third. Favorite Doctor Dino rated in last early, came seven wide into the stretch to pass tiring runners but could only manage a fifth place finish.
Results chart
Also on the card were the E.P. Taylor (G1), Nearctic (G2), and Summer (G3) Stakes.
