Expert picks: Canadian International 2018 predictions
Saturday's Grade 1, $800,000 Canadian International brings together 11 turf runners, some still with Breeders' Cup aspirations, for one of Woodbine's signature races. Carded as Race 9, the Canadian International has a 5:41 p.m. ET post time going 1 1/2 miles on grass.
The top choices are European invader Thundering Blue (2-1) and Grade 1 winner Spring Quality (4-1), but how about some upset possibilities? We asked the Horse Racing Nation crew to cover that and more.
Free Canadian International past performances are available for your own handicapping. Now, on to the picks...
Jeffrey Byrnes, Byrnzzze's Corner (@jeffbyrnes96)
Winner: #10 Desert Encounter
On the board: #2 Thundering Blue, #11 Focus Group
Longshot I like: #3 Khan
Analysis: Desert Encounter will finally get the firm ground he has been seeking. Also, first time Lasix should give the horse a boost. He will sit closely up front and has faced stronger competition. Thundering Blue, a first time gelding, also comes in with a dominant win in the Stockholm Cup and a third in the Juddmonte International. Must-use on tickets. Focus Group should love the 12 furlongs, and an outside post should make for a good trip. Khan comes in off a big win in Germany and keeps his top jockey. I'll play a 10-2-11-3 superfecta box.
Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman
Winner: #2 Thundering Blue
On the board: #6 Spring Quality, #10 Desert Encounter
Longshot I like: #9 Johnny Bear
Analysis: The way Thundering Blue finished against the level of opposition in the Juddmonte race, he can win this contest. Spring Quality is a Grade 1 winner that can motor late, and relative class combined with late speed dominate on the grass. Desert Encounter should be comfortable running long on the ‘Euro-style’ turf layout. He receives first time Lasix. Johnny Bear is a two-time Grade 1 winner who loves this course.
Jarrod Horak, Pick 6 Blog (@jchorak)
Winner: #11 Focus Group
On the board: #6 Spring Quality, #2 Thundering Blue
Longshot I like: #10 Desert Encounter
Analysis: Focus Group is interesting at a price for Chad Brown. He has improved since adding blinkers (3-for-5), and he finished nicely in the restricted John’s Call at Saratoga Aug. 22. He runs well fresh and will try to get involved late under Jose Ortiz. Spring Quality has not had any luck since upsetting in the Manhattan at Belmont June 9. He can definitely bounce back if he gets a firmer course on Saturday. Thundering Blue ran well in his last three starts, including a sharp victory in Sweden on Sept. 23. He drew well. Desert Encounter ran well in three of his last four turf starts in Great Britain. He seems a cut below these. The Plays: #11 to win; exacta 11/2-6-10; and exacta 2-6-10/11.
Casey Laughter, The Tattooed Tracksider (@casey_laughter)
Winner: #1 Markitoff
On the board: #2 Thundering Blue, #9 Johnny Bear
Longshot I like: #11 Focus Group
Analysis: This race seems to be evenly matched. Spring Quality has not replicated his Manhattan effort, and Euros shipping in will challenge him. While Focus Group may not be a major long shot, he has Jose Ortiz riding, has won his last two and seems on the rise.