Joshua Tree possible to defend Canadian International

Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) – Joshua Tree has been nominated to defend his title in this month’s $1 million Canadian International at Woodbine. The 1 1/2-mile turf race has received 17 nominations and is slated for Sunday, Oct. 27.

Last year the International was held on Oct. 14 and was part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program.

“The later date allows every opportunity for runners coming out of major U.S. and European races to take advantage of Woodbine’s turf course,” said Steve Koch, WEG’s Vice-President of thoroughbred Racing.

Joshua Tree, trained by Edward Dunlop, won last year’s race by setting most of the pace with Frankie Dettori riding. In 2010, the horse won the International over a ‘good’ grass course and the next year was second to Sarah Lynx on a ‘yielding’ course.

The 6-year-old has earned $2.4 million from the three International starts, two-thirds of his total earnings. He is winless this year in five starts.

Forte Dei Marmi, third last year, has also been nominated. Trained by Roger Attfield, the 7-year-old gelding has won his last three starts this season, all at Woodbine.

Owned by Stella Perdomo, Forte Dei Marmi won the Northern Dancer Stakes last month after claiming the Sky Classic and Singspiel.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey, along with trainer Chad Brown, have nominated Bowling Green Handicap winner Hyper for the race. The 6-year-old has won 10 of 21 career starts, all on turf, for $554,700.

Hyper came back to the United States this year after a pair of starts last summer in England. He won the John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga on July 31 after finishing second to London Lane in the Colonial Turf Cup on June 22 at Colonial Downs.

“He’s always trained well,” said Cherie DeVaux, assistant to Chad Brown. “Chad has had him for so long, and he’s always been a nice horse to train. He always tries really hard, he always looks great. With age, he has been getting better. What’s so enjoyable about watching him run is that he seems to get better every time. He always finds a way to find a little more, and as he’s gotten older he keeps finding ways to step up.”

The 6-year-old is a stablemate of Arlington Million winner Real Solution and Big Blue Kitten, winner of this year’s United Nations Handicap and Sword Dancer Invitational.

Categorized in: Horses