2018 Canadian International: Thunder Up North
By: Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
The 1-1/2
mile Grade 1 event will be contested over Woodbine’s world-renowned E.P. Taylor
Turf Course.
A trio of
Woodbine-based horses will give local fans much to cheer about.
In addition,
top North American grass conditioner, Chad Brown, no stranger to Grade 1 turf glory,
brings a pair of runners to Woodbine. Brown, who is seeking his first win in
the event, has been close in three previous attempts with a pair of runner-up
finishes and a third-place showing.
European
invaders had a stranglehold on the race, winning seven-straight from 2010
through 2016, before the U.S. based Bullard’s Alley put an end to the streak
last year winning by a record 10 ¾-lengths.
Post time for
this star-stacked international field, featuring some of the finest three-year-olds-and-up
in the world, is slated for 5:41 p.m.
PP - Horse –
Jockey/Trainer
1 - Markitoff – Irad Ortiz, Jr/Michael Maker
All his
racing was done in the States before testing the Woodbine turf for the
first-time last month, finishing fourth in Northern Dancer (G1), missing the
top spot by just one length. He was offered up for claim several times in the
early days and took nine attempts to break his maiden. Since then, he won just
once and that was on first day of 2018. His last race was his best. However,
there’s still room for improvement and he’s going to need it, as it will take a
measurable move forward to topple this group.
2 - Thundering Blue – Fran Berry/David Menuisier
Based in
England, this five-year old showed progressive development in 2017, recording
wins at three different venues, but has taken his form to a new level this
year. After becoming a Group 2 winner at York over 1 5/16 miles, he made his
Group 1 debut there in the Juddmonte International at the same distance,
running well inside the final furlong, but could not reach the leaders,
finishing third at 50-1. He was beaten only by the top English three-year-old’s
Roaring Lion and Poet’s Word, while leaving five Group 1 winners behind him. Coming
off an impressive win as the 2-5 choice in Sweden’s Group 3 Stockholm Cup just
over two weeks ago, the six-time winner from 20 starts will now venture across
the Atlantic. This course will suit him well, as he is versatile, having
delivered victories at five tracks that are all drastically different. The way
he finished against the level of opposition in the Juddmonte race, he can win
this contest.
3 - Khan (GER) – Clement Lecoeuvre/Henk Grewe
Following a
pair of out of the money placings in Group 1 action this season, the third time
out against top company turned out to be the charm for this four-year old
German-bred colt, as he stormed home a six-length winner in the 1 ½-mile Preis
von Europa (G1) on yielding turf. The victory snapped an eleven-race losing
streak and was his first win since breaking maiden ranks more than sixteen
months ago. The expected firm condition of the turf course Saturday is cause for
concern, as this one really prefers soft going.
4 - Funtastic – John Velazquez/Chad Brown
Following his
second allowance win in May, this grey colt quickly stepped up successfully
into Grade 1 company at first asking one month later at 23-1, leading a field
of nine rivals from gate-to-wire at in the 1 3/8-mile United Nations at
Monmouth. Eight weeks later at Saratoga, in the Sword Dancer (G1), he was in
perfect position saving ground in third until the stretch, but when asked to
pick it up, he backed away and finished seventh. He can stay a distance of
ground but must reverse his current form to prove he has developed into a
bona-fide Grade 1 caliber horse.
5 - Tiz a Slam – Steve Bahen/Roger Attfield
Local runner flashed
early talent in his juvenile year, winning a stake race over this grass course.
He suffered a six-race losing streak in 2017, before reuniting with the
winner’s circle. Since then, he’s been primarily kept routing on the grass,
winning the Nijinsky Stakes (G2), but also found success in the Dominion Day (G3)
on the Tapeta, both in wire-to-wire fashion in July. His attempt to make it
three in a row fizzled in the Sky Classic (G2) as he gave way grudgingly after
leading into the stretch. In the Northern Dancer (G1) the local prep for this
event, he became involved in a front-end battle, before fading to finish sixth,
beaten two lengths. Four-year old colt has kept consistent form in recent
months and should be prominent on or near the lead once again.
6 - Spring Quality – Edgar Prado/Graham Motion
Won his
maiden debut as a juvenile, then didn’t re-appear until his four-year old
season when he promptly won after a seventeen-month layoff. Success continued
throughout 2017 and was capped off in his season finale when he became a graded
stakes winner in the Red Smith (G3). Garnered his first Grade 1 victory in
June, winning the Manhattan Stakes, at Belmont. He may have felt the effects of
an eleven-week layoff when putting in a mild rally to get up for the show spot
in the Sword Dancer, two races back. In his most recent outing over soft ground,
he ran the worst race of his career when a disappointing seventh in the Joe
Hirsch Turf Classic (G1). With six wins from thirteen starts, this six-year old
gelding knows how to find the finish line, and with a lightly raced campaign
this year, he could rebound back to his better form, which would give him a
real good shot.
7 - English Illusion – Rafael Hernandez/Sylvain Pion
Five-year old
gelding was a sharp $45k claim back in early August. Enters the contest in
excellent form, having been victorious in the ungraded Halton Stakes, before
jumping up in class to Grade 1 level in the Northern Dancer, where he finished
with solid third-place showing. Off that run, he’s earned the right to be in
the lineup. The plusses are: He’s in top form and this is his home ground, the
other side of the coin reveals, he’s up against more advanced competitors from
North America and Europe.
8 -Bandua – Adam Beschizza/Jack Sisterson
Calumet Farm
runner began his career in Ireland and after a pair of moderate starts in
America, he now goes for a new barn. He turned in an encouraging run two races
back over good turf, finishing third at Arlington in the Secretariat Stakes
(G1) against three-year old companions. Last time out at Kentucky Downs he
finished fourth after a good trip in the Dueling Grounds Derby. He needs to
upgrade his recent performances and the spacious Woodbine turf course could
prove to be just the locale for him to showcase his talent.
9 - Johnny Bear – Luis Contreras/Ashlee Brnjas
Talented
Ontario-bred star is a multiple-graded stakes winner, having taken back-to-back
editions of the Northern Dancer Stakes in 2017-18. Seven-year old gelding has
eight wins and is the most experienced horse in the field with 40 lifetime
starts. Finished last of ten in last year’s International, but the turf course
was soft that afternoon, and for this local runner to take advantage of the
home field, the sod needs to be firm. All indications appear the ground
condition on Saturday should be ideal for his run.
10 - Desert Encounter (IRE) – Andrea Atzeni/David Simcock
Irish-bred makes his first-ever journey
across the Atlantic in search of Grade 1 success. Although he has found the competition
in Europe very difficult at times when pitted against Group 1 foes, he’s been
able to put forth some respectable finishes. Most recently, he was third, beaten
just a half-length in the Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup (G3) at Newbury last
month. Is a very consistent runner. In 22 lifetime races, this six-year-old gelding
has seven wins, four seconds and five thirds. This one should be comfortable running
long on the ‘Euro-style’ turf layout.
11 - Focus Group – Jose Ortiz/Chad Brown
Colt has been
on fire this season, winning three of four races and is one length shy of being
undefeated. Seeks his third straight win after making a successful stakes debut
in a restricted affair at Saratoga. Takes a huge leap up in class, however, he comes
from arguably the top turf barn in North America, has good form, is on the
improve and can get the distance.
Analysis:
2 -Thundering Blue went from being an
average horse to a very talented one in the space of 12 months, indicating he’s
top class. His overall record entitles him to a shot at this prize and I
believe he'll improve going a mile and a half. He gets the slight nod as my top
selection.
6 - Spring Quality did not care for the
soft turf at Saratoga last start, so I’ll dismiss it. In his prior two races,
he closed fastest through the final quarter. He’s a Grade 1 winner, and
relative class combined with late speed dominate on the turf.
10 - Desert Encounter will be saddled by
trainer David Simcox, who has had multiple Grade 1 success at this venue. The
expansive Woodbine turf course with its long stretch should complement this
runner’s style.
The wager: I’ll spend $100 ThorFan dollars as
follows.
$30
Win: Thundering Blue
$10
Win: Spring Quality
$4
Exacta: 2,6 / 2,4,6,10 ($24 investment)
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