Pattison Canadian International – Grade I
WO Race #3 1 1/2m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $600.000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.

1 Ideal Gift Threshold Bravo J

This seven year old was claimed cheaply before two starts in grade two company which have resulted in two much improved second places. Definitely one who likes these extreme trips, he has won 9 routes and whilst he wont be many peoples top choice against the big guns here he is sure to make his presence felt.

2        Kings Poker       Wood Duck Stables         Stein J

Working faster than many and getting the three year old allowance, in years gone by this would be an odds on favorite to win especially as he gets the perfect draw for the second time in a row at grade one level. This year the three’s haven’t been doing so well but this looks the exception and will be many people’s pick to win his fifth race in his last six starts.

3       Fuji        Smokey Stover          Saez G

Behind Ideal Gift on level weights in the DMR Handicap he has since walked home on a wet track to win the Baruch Handicap by a very easy five lengths. This race comes quick as the stable will be desperately trying to get him in the BC but he is a pretty resilient type and should take it in his stride. If it rains then he will be a very strong chance and if it doesn’t he will just be a strong chance. Drawn well, top stable, there are lots of ticks in boxes for this one.

4         Stallsome           Maxmillion Farm     Gutierrez Mario

This sort of race should be meat and drink for the turf king and this six year old who won the grade one Sword Dancer last time looks right in the frame to add another turf grade one to the trainers resume. A long distance specialist he has won 8 times at longer trips for over 1.1K and looks exactly the sort that does well in this race.

5        Controlled Power        Spankys Barn          Prat F

Another seven year old and another one that makes this race even deeper with talent. Another 8 route race winner for 1.5K he is just the sort who just when you think he is coming to the end of his career he pops up with another big win. His works are just as good as ever and though his form has been better a third and fourth at grade one level in his last two starts says he still has it all there.

6         Feathers Not Dots       Night Rider Stables         Leparoux J R

A length behind Kings Poker in the Mister D it is hard seeing him changing that result but being within a length of that horse may still see him run a place here. Bought from John Henry early in the year he has run very well for the new owner running fifth three times at grade one level and not beaten far.

7        Andes        Arindel         Davis D

Another three year old and another that is working well enough to suggest the 3 Lb’s could be enough to see him in the finish. Second in the Read Stakes and fourth in the VADerby he is in with a punchers chance here.

8       Slo Mo         Maxmillion Farm        Carrasco V R

His stable mate may be the favored one here but this one won the Elkhorn over this trip so is clearly not out of it. Good on both dirt and turf he is far better than his numerical figures suggest especially when you consider his two wins were at maiden level and then straight to grade two.

9      Never Met Me      Mb Stables       Jaramillo E

The DMR Handicap winner is already in the BC so i am not sure why he is here other than he has hit the improvement curve hard and this is a nice purse. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem as he is an on pace horse and Mb’s runners rarely get hung out wide so i expect him to once again go forward and try and repel the last finishers.

SUMMARY

A really competitive grade one just about every runner here would look at home in the BC Turf field so it should be a great race. If the rains come it could easily be Fuji that wins his second graded stakes in two weeks but if it stays dry it really is a matter of choosing one and running with it. Maxmillion Farm has such a great record in these types of races that one of their runners could easily prevail and then of course Mb Stables has hit a rich vein of form and their already qualified BC runner could also win. However if this was any other year it would be Kings Poker who would be top choice so i will go with that one on the belief that the three’s are slowly hitting their straps and he could be the one to launch the younger generation on their more normal domination into the BC.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES