ESPN Horse Racing

Saturday, Oct. 17, Woodbine

The Low-Down: The top four finishers from the Northern Dancer Stakes, including the defending International champ, MARSH SIDE, are back to challenge four others in a good field. The lineup includes last year's 1-2-3 International finishers and a solid group of overseas invaders.

The richest race in North America this weekend takes place north of the border in the $2 million Canadian International, to to be run at 1 ½ miles on the grass at Woodbine in Toronto, Canada. It's one of three key grass races on a card that also features the G1 E.P. Taylor for the distaff turfers and the G2 Nearctic for elite turf sprinters.

Our Eyes: Every horse in this year's Canadian International has multiple Grade 1 heats on their resumes, including the defending champ MARSH SIDE and Arlington Million runner-up JUST AS WELL. In last month's Northern Dancer, MARSH SIDE was disqualified (kissing in JUST AS WELL to victory) in a very controversial decision by the stewards that had many onlookers scratching their heads.

The Bobby Frankel-trained CHAMPS ELYSEES finished third in this race last year and is well primed for another solid showing. Of the Euro contingent, hot-shot trainer Mark Johnston ships in JUKEBOX JURY off back-to-back group wins in France and Germany. Another invader is BUCCELLATI, who has been knocking heads with some of Europe's best turf runners; he's 3 for 8 over the 1 ½-miles distance.

MARSH SIDE and JUST AS WELL figure to advance this rivalry again in the Canadian International. They're both in very good form and I don't see them veering off course at all. Of the European contingent, I respect JUKEBOX JURY quite a bit for Mark Johnston. He's won 5-of-11 races lifetime and is in very good form off two wins in a row.

BUCCELLATI is an interesting sort shipping in from France for trainer Andrew Balding. He exits some of the best turf races in the world and has plenty of frequent flyer miles. He's raced in England, France, Turkey and Hong Kong. He could get a piece at a decent number.

The Bottom Line: I suggest playing exacta boxes with JUST AS WELL as the key. I'll use him with MARSH SIDE and JUKEBOX JURY. Good luck in the Pattison Canadian International.

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