HRN Sunday stakes picks: Canadian International and more

New to Horse Racing Nation, each weekend we’ll reach out to our network of editors, writers and bloggers for their thoughts on the country's biggest stakes races.

Sunday's headliner runs at Woodbine with the Pattison Canadian International, one of two Grade 1 races on the card. We'll also offer picks and plays for Speakeasy Stakes for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita.

Now, to the picks...

5:28 p.m. ET at Woodbine — Grade I, $500,000 E. P. Taylor Stakes

Jarrod Horak (@jchorak)

Winner: #6 Nezwah

On the board: #3 Quidura, #2 Fourstar Crook

Longshot I like: #1 Kitten’s Roar

Analysis: Nezwah was 7th in this event last year as a sophomore but comes back better and fresher for the 2017 renewal. Quidura won the local prep for this and is sharp for Motion.

Casey Laughter (@writingcasey)

Winner: #7 Rain Goddess

On the board: #5 Sassy Little Lila, #3 Quidura

Longshot I like: #2 Fourstar Crook

Analysis: This race is historically won by foreign-based horses, and Aidan O’Brien is the individual to bring horses over to perform at the highest levels.

Jasen Mangrum, Handicapper’s Corner (@Cappercorner)

Winner: #8 Blond Me

On the board: #2 Fourstar Crook, #6 Nezwaah

Longshot I like: #2 Fourstar Crook

In a race with plenty of pace, look for Blond Me to come running fastest of all in the late stages. Fourstar Crook is a New York-bred win machine that should be respected for the powerful Brown/Castellano team.

5:29 p.m. ET at Santa Anita — $70,000 Speakeasy Stakes

Jarrod Horak (@jchorak)

Winner: #6 Mourinho

On the board: #4 Beautiful Shot, #1 Candy Crew

Longshot I like: #5 Here Is Happy

Analysis: Mourinho stands out based on his good looking local debut maiden win from an outer post for Baffert. Beautiful Shot ran down highly regarded Baffert runner Nero in his Del Mar debut.

Madison Jackson (@AndAwayHRN)

Winner: #6 Mourinho 

On the board: #3 Show It N Moe It, #5 Here Is Happy

Longshot I like: #5 Here Is Happy 

Analysis: As far as breeding and connections go, Mourinho, a son of Super Saver, has the top of the line with Mike Smith aboard and Bob Baffert training. However, I do find Here Is Happy an interesting pick. In his last race, the 6 1/2-furlong Barrett’s Juvenile Stakes at Los Al, he broke a bit off but continued willingly to finish fifth of a seven horse field. On Sunday, Here Is Happy will go back to his winning distance of six furlongs, with Joe Talamo retaining the mount. 

Casey Laughter (@writingcasey)

Winner: #6 Mourinho

On the board: #4 Beautiful Shot

Longshot: #5 Here is Happy

Why: Bob Baffert's Mourinho broke his maiden first time out at Santa Anita by 4 1/2 lengths. He looks to make it 2-for-2 and has the training and connections to do it.

Jasen Mangrum, Handicapper’s Corner (@Cappercorner)

Winner: #6 Mourinho

On the board: #4 Beautiful Shot, #1 Candy Crew

Longshot I like: None

Anything near Mourinho’s debut effort should easily land her in the winner’s circle. Trainer Keith Desormeaux normally doesn’t win first out, so Beautiful Shot must be respected and expected to improve on her debut win.

Olivia Newman, The Final Stride (@barbaroloverrr)

Winner: #6 Mourinho

On the board: #3 Show it n Moe it, #1 Candy Crew

Longshot: #5 Here is Happy 

Analysis: You can't bet against Baffert, so I am choosing Mourinho to win. He broke his maiden impressively at Santa Anita two weeks ago, and you can bet Baffert has him cranked up and ready to go. Show it n Moe it is the most experienced and very fast. He too, is training well, and I look for a big effort. 

6:10 p.m. ET at Woodbine — Grade I, $800,000 Pattison Canadian International

Nic Costa, Trackside With Trackman

Winner: #4 Idaho

On the board: #9 Erupt

On the board:#10 Chemical Charge

Longshot I like: #5 Johnny Bear

Analysis: There is a 90 precent chance of precipitation for the Toronto region on Sunday, so the impending weather could factor heavily. Erupt, prefers his turf firm, while Idaho’s best results have come on rain softened footing, and that’s enough for me to side with the Aidan O’Brien runner. Chemical Charge, another invader from Europe, has plenty of experience at this marathon distance with excellent results, and wasn't that far behind Idaho at Ascot.

Chip Gehrke (@doctorderby)

Winner: #10 Chemical Charge

On the board: #2 Flamboyant

Longshot I like: #6 Postulation

Analysis: Chemical Charge gets Lasix for the first time, off the board only once in 13 starts, and is best form of his career. Postulation is a head away from three straight wins, loves the distance, and you will get a nice price. Flamboyant hasn’t won in over a year, but seems to have raised his game a few levels in his last two starts.

Jarrod Horak (@jchorak)

Winner: #10 Chemical Charge

On the board: #4 Idaho, #8 Messi

Longshot I like: #6 Postulation

Analysis: Chemical Charge is the sharpest overseas runner, and the Grade 3 type might be able to step up and get a Grade 1 win. Postulation is a sharp, dangerous pace player.  

Casey Laughter (@writingcasey)

Winner: #4 Idaho

On the board: #2 Flamboyant, #9 Erupt

Longshot I like: #1 Oscar Nominated

Analysis: Idaho has been running against the absolute best overseas, so with a "class drop" (emphasis on the quotations) and Lasix for the first time, I think he can move up. As for Oscar Nominated, I love his potential to hit the board, but I think this might be just a bit much for him.

Mary Dixon Reynolds, The Gallop Out (@nchorseplayer)

Winner: #9 Erupt

On the Board: #4 Idaho, #1 Oscar Nominated

Longshot I like: #5 Johnny Bear

Analysis:  The favorite, Idado is competing only two weeks after his 8th-place finish in the Group 1 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly. Idaho finished 5th as the favorite in last year's International. Two weeks rest upon racing on two continents is just too much for this favorite. Erupt, one of the European Invaders, was last year's winner and is going for a double.If he has a good trip he should be able to pull this off. He has the talent. European shippers have won the last six runnings of the International.

Jasen Mangrum, Handicapper’s Corner (@Cappercorner)

Winner: #8 Messi

On the board: #9 Erupt, #4 Idaho

Longshot I like: #8 Messi

The 7-year-old gelding, Messi loves the course, and was troubled 3rd in the local prep for this. He runs his best races 2nd off the layoff, including the Grade 2Sky Classic over the course last summer. Erupt won this last year and should sit a similar trip just off the pace. Idaho is from the powerful Aidan O’Brien stable, but has delivered two subpar efforts in as many trips to the U.S.

Bet: $10 win/place #8 Total = $20