Pattison Canadian International – (Gl)

Purse $750.00 – For Three Year Olds And Upward – 1 1/2 Miles – Turf
Woodbine – October 3, 2026

In only his seventh career start, the three-year-old Lunar Artist took on older horses while stretching out in distance and prevailed in the 19th edition of the Grade One Pattison Canadian International! This marked the first graded stakes victory of his career after only clearing the N1X condition a few months ago. Connections were clearly high on this gelding. The son of Conquest increased his lifetime earnings to $832.81 with this only being his third win. Owner Nakamura Stables and jockey Isaac Castillo both made their first appearance in the winners circle for the Pattison Canadian International since the inaugural running in 2006. This is definitely a nice race to add to an already impressive racing résumé. Lunar Artist ended up stopping the clock for the mile and a half in 2:24.53, which is a very good time especially for a three-year-old taking on older horses. It’s clear that this California-bred has a bright future in HRP and the victory he put together this weekend was no doubt his coming-out party. Put this guy on your watchlist. Congratulations to Nakamura Stables!

Winner: Lunar Artist – (Nakamura Stables, I. Castillo) Breaking from the gate as the favorite, Lunar Artist ended up settling in midpack about four lengths off the pacesetter. He got into a comfortable rhythm while being covered up by several rivals. Jockey Isaac Castillo started to ask this gelding to go around the half mile pole and found a clear running lane while racing four wide. He moved into second as the field reached the top of the stretch and steadily cut into Reign Supreme’s advantage. The son of Conquest caught the longtime leader inside the final 1 1/16, holding on late to win a close finish. Well done! Nakamura Stables has a ton of options on where to put Lunar Artist next. Having him run against straight three-year-olds again will be fun to watch!

Second Place: Reign Supreme – (Mb Stables, P. Moran) After closing from off the pace last time out in the Nashville Derby, Reign Supreme took command early and gradually opened a three-length lead. He carried the field through a half-mile in 48.35 and three-quarters in 1:12.51, still traveling clear of the pack as they approached the final turn. The son of People Pleaser continued to lead into the stretch and kept responding as Lunar Artist closed the gap. Lunar Artist finally got past him inside the final 1 1/16, but this gelding still fought gallantly to hold second. Mb Stables was clearly trying to steal this race on the front end. It’s also interesting that the first and second-place finishers were three-year-olds in a field full of veteran turf marathoners.

Third Place: Dangerous Fugitive – (Night Rider Stables, E J. Wilson) Connections made a late jockey change from Dane Nelson to Emma-Jayne Wilson. Dangerous Fugitive raced toward the back of the field for much of the 1½ miles, about seven lengths behind Reign Supreme. He got into a good rhythm, hoping the pace would be extremely fast to set up his closing kick. This seven-year-old began to make up ground rounding the far turn but still had plenty to do entering the stretch. He found room down the center of the track and finished strongly, passing several horses in the final furlong to challenge for second. Reign Supreme held him off late, leaving Dangerous Fugitive to get third after a strong closing run. Another formidable effort for this veteran.

Fourth Place: Tom Kha Gai – (High Voltage, A A. Gallardo) Coming off an impressive three-race stretch, Tom Kha Gai settled in the middle of the field and saved ground down on the rail as Reign Supreme led them along early. He held his position through the middle stages, about five lengths back in seventh. This son of Just You Wait waited until the 5/16 pole to make his move with other rivals closing to his outside. Tom Kha Gai continued to advance along the rail down the stretch and drew closer to the leaders inside the final furlong. He could only get into fourth, just behind the tightly grouped top three. There was a little bit of traffic trouble for this California-bred at the quarter pole as well. He still looks to be running on all cylinders heading into the final months of the 2026 season.

– AJM

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES