2007 Pattison Canadian International

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) is the distaff counterpart to the International, featuring a field of 10 fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on the turf. Prix Vermeille(G1) winner Mrs. Lindsay was the 7-5 favorite over Canadian Triple Tiara winner Sealy Hill at 4-1. Blandford(G2) winner Four Sins was the 6-1 third choice on the toteboard.

14-1 outsider Essential Edge set a controlled pace of 24.43, 47.72, 1:11.49, and 1:36.17 while loose on the lead by as many as 2 1/2 lengths. At the 1/4 pole, Essential Edge was beginning to tire as Sealy Hill, who had raced back in 6th early, came out 4 wide on the turn when asked by jockey Patrick Husbands for her rally. Gaining the lead at the 3/16 pole, she opened up a 1 1/2 length advantage but John Murtagh aboard Mrs. Lindsay moved the favorite down to the inside for running room and firmer ground. The pair battled through the final 1/16 of a mile, but in the final strides Mrs. Lindsay dug in to pull away by 1/2 a length at the line, completing the trip in 2:00.68, setting a new Woodbine track record for 1 1/4 miles on turf. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to 6-1 Barancella in third.
Results chart