Desert Encounter rallies to repeat in the Canadian International

Desert Encounter’s chances for a repeat already seemed bleak before the break of Saturday’s Grade 1, $800,000 Canadian International given the presence of classy shipper Ziyad.

Then the 7-year-old missed the break at Woodbine, spotting his five rivals open lengths.

Luckily, there were 1 1/2 miles to make up the difference, and jockey Andrea Atzeni used them all to rally, split horses and get up in the final strides of another Canadian International victory.

"I obviously rode him in the race last year," Atzeni said, "and every time he's been winning, he's been missing the break...He's been dropping out last."

The David Simcock trainee remained at the back of the field until the stretch, chasing Ziyad’s moderate splits of 52.56 seconds for the half mile and 1:41.23 for the mile. The winning time as 2:28.62.

Never has a horse three-peated in the Canadian International. Speaking for connections, Atzeni didn't rule out returning.

"There's a good chance. He's obviously a gelding. They campaigned him for this race. At home, he's a solid Group 3 horse. Here, he's probably a top Group 1 horse.

"If he's healthy and sound, I think he's a better horse than he was last year, and why not?"

Desert Encounter, who started 0-for-4 this season, returned $5 as the 3-2 second choice to even-money Ziyad. After dropped from Group 1 and Group 2 competition, he rattled off three straight victories entering Saturday.

Overall, Abdulla Al Mansoori's son of Halling is now 12-4-7 in 31 career starts.