2002 Canadian International

Jockey Todd Kabel (left) and honourary drawmaster race car driver Patrick Carpentier pose with the Canadian International trophy after the post position draw.

Results and photos

This weekend will be one of the last chances for a major turf prep race prior to the Breeders' Cup with the Canadian International for the males and the E.P. Taylor Stakes for the distaff. Both races are Grade 1 events to be run this Sunday at Woodbine. The Canadian International at 12 furlongs on the turf and a $1.5 million (Canadian) purse is the next race in the World Series Racing Championship and will feature turf specialists from the US, Canada, and Europe. The E.P. Taylor Stakes for the fillies and mares will be 10 furlongs on the turf for a purse of $750,000 (Canadian).

The Canadian International was first run in 1938 but didn't really become an important race until 1973 when Secretariat made the final start of his career in it. Since then the purse has risen along with the quality of the fields. Other notable runners who have won are Dahlia, Exceller, All Along, Sky Classic, Singspiel, and Chief Bearhart. Several of these finished either second or won the Breeders' Cup Turf.

German bred and based Paolini finished second last year to Mutamam.

This year a field of eight has assembled, including four European shippers. Back from last year are second place finisher Paolini, third place finisher (disqualified to sixth) Zindabad, and Falcon Flight who dead-heated for sixth after interference from Zindabad. These three are all favored this year with Zindabad given a slight edge as the 3-1 morning line favorite. Don Burke, trainer of Falcon Flight said: "I believe he's a sounder horse this year. That gives me more confidence. Pat (Valenzuela) has worked him three times. He knows him and he's got the best hands so it won't be a problem."

Post time for the Canadian International is 5:12pm EDT and it will be broadcast on NBC from 4:30-6:00pm EDT. Free past performances are available from Equibase and Daily Racing Form. Below is the field for the International. All horses carry 126 lbs. except Ballingarry and Portcullis who carry 118 because they are 3-year-olds.

The Canadian International Purse: $1,500,000     Distance: 1 1/2 miles Turf PP   Horse   Trainer   Jockey   M/L Odds 1   Yavana's Pace   Johnston   Dalgleish   10-1 2   Paolini   Wohler   Suborics   4-1 3   Zindabad   Johnston   Darley   3-1 4   Ballingarry   O'Brien   Kinane   9-2 5   Full of Wonder   Frostad   Kabel   6-1 6   Falcon Flight   Burke   Valenzuela   5-1 7   Portcullis   Frostad   Callaghan   15-1 8   Perfect Soul   Attfield   Landry   6-1

Choc Ice winner of the 2001 E.P. Taylor Stakes

The E.P. Taylor Stakes for the fillies and mares was first run in 1956 but didn't really become an important race until the early 1980's. Some of the notable past winners are Lady Shirl, Hatoof, Hero's Love, and Timarida. This race is one of the last chances for the turf fillies to prove they are ready for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf making for a very contentious race.

Last year's top two finishers, Choc Ice and Volga, are back to renew their rivalry. The Christophe Clement-trained Volga is the 9-5 favourite with Jerry Bailey named to ride. Defending champion Choc Ice, with Davy Bonilla up, is pegged at 5-2, while the Neil Drysdale-conditioned Nadia, to be handled by Corey Nakatani, is the 7-2 third choice.

Here is this year's E.P. Taylor Stakes field. All horses carry 123 pounds except Fraulein and Alasha who, as three-year-olds, get a weight break and carry 117.

Canadian International and E.P. Taylor Stakes links:

• Canadian International official site from Woodbine
• Woodbine Stable Notes - lots of Canadian International info now and updated frequently
• Woodbine Daily Sheet - from Jim Mazur and Jim Bannon
• World Series Racing Championship - the International is part of this series so lots of info here
• Past Performances - in Adobe Acrobat format for the International from the Daily Racing Form (available Friday)
• Canadian International Special from Equibase with free program, past performances, ChartPlus, and articles
• Current weather
• Scratches and changes
• SLAM! Horse Racing - Canadian horse racing coverage
• WayMoreSports.com Horse Racing - more Canadian racing news
• TSN Horse Racing - more Canadian racing news
• News Index Search - should pick up some articles from the various online news sources
• 2001 Canadian International won by Mutamam and the E.P. Taylor Stakes won by Choc Ice.
• 2000 Canadian International won by Mutafaweq and the E.P. Taylor Stakes won by Fly For Avie.
• 1999 Canadian International won by Thornfield and the E.P. Taylor Stakes won by Insight.

Check back for results late Sunday evening.

All photos ©2002 Cindy Pierson Dulay

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