Horses from North America and Europe came to Woodbine for Saturday's $2 million Pattison Canadian International (G1), the richest horse race in Canada and a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the Breeders' Cup Turf. Spectators and participants enjoyed a typical fall day at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 40's. Last year's 3rd place finisher Champs Elysees was back, making his final career start before retiring to stud, sent off as the 5-2 choice in the field of 8 exiting a third place finish in the Northern Dancer last out. Northern Dancer winner Just As Well as the 3-1 second choice on the board, over 7-2 Jukebox Jury, the only 3-year-old in the field off sins in the Grand Prix de Deauville and the Preis von Europa.
When the gate opened, jockey Javier Castellano sent last year's winner Marsh Side to the front, and he set a reserved pace of 26.32, 51.35, 1:15.76, and 1:39.74, while as many as 3 1/2 lengths in front of Jukebox Jury and regular rider Royston Ffrench who stalked him in second. Jockey Garrett Gomez kept Champs Elysees well off the pace in 7th and with clear run on the outside. Entering the stretch, Marsh Side held onto a short lead through ten furlongs in 2:04.08, but the race set up for the closers. Jukebox Jury steadily gained on the pacesetter and gained a short lead in midstretch, but Champs Elysees, who angled out to the center of the course, was gaining strongly. Under a steady drive, Champs Elysees passed Jukebox Jury in the final strides to get the win by 1/2 a length in 2:28.36 over the firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course. It was another 2 lengths back to Buccellati third.
Results chart
Also on the card were the E.P. Taylor (G1) and Nearctic (G2) Stakes.
