The $2 million Pattison Canadian International (G1) features older turf horses from North America and Europe going 1 1/2 miles over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course at Woodbine. After a steady rain overnight and into the early afternoon, the course was very soft so times were slow for all three turf stakes races on the card.
Kastoria was sent off as the 5-2 favorite as the only female in the field, coming into the race off a 3-race win streak against males in Ireland. Go Deputy was the 7-2 second choice as trainer Todd Pletcher attempted to break the record for graded stakes wins in one season. Defending champion Relaxed Gesture was the 5-1 third choice despite a disappointing season so far with just one victory.
31-1 outsider Last Answer set the early pace through slow fractions of 26.86, 52.95, 1:19.06, 1:45.93, and 2:12.33 while being chased by 8-year-old gelding and 11-1 shot Collier Hill, the oldest horse in the field. Go Deputy and jockey John Velazquez sat in mid-pack 5th, while Kastoria was slowest out of the gate and was at the rear of the field most of the way. At the 3/16 pole, Last Answer began to tire allowing Collier Hill to take over the lead and he pulled away to a 1 1/2-length lead in mid-stretch. Go Deputy hit his best stride and was closing the gap fast as the pair hooked up at the 70-yard pole and hit the line together in a tight photo. Collier Hill prevailed by a nose in a time of 2:37.34.
Results chart from Equibase
