Arctic Cosmos out of Canadian International picture

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Saturday’s Grade 1, $2 million Canadian International took a hit over the weekend with the news that Arctic Cosmos would not be participating.

Arctic Cosmos, a Group 1 winner in England for trainer John Gosden, had been listed last week as a probable starter and would have been among the favorites for the 1 1/2-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and upward.

The Canadian International will be one of three Grade 1 turf races on Saturday’s card, along with the $1 million E.P. Taylor for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles and the $500,000 Nearctic for 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs.

As of Monday morning the number of possible starters for the Canadian International stood at 11, including Cloudy’s Knight, whose trainer, Jonathan Sheppard, was on the fence.

Overseas shippers Redwood, Chinchon and Mores Wells were slated to arrive on Tuesday with Joshua Tree to follow on Wednesday.

U.S. runners tuned up

Expected American invaders Al Khali and Marsh Side had their final tune-ups for the Canadian International on their home grounds last Sunday.

Al Khali, coming off a win in Belmont's Grade 2 Bowling Green, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Belmont for trainer Bill Mott.

Marsh Side, coming off a disappointing eighth-place finish here in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer, worked seven furlongs in 1:27 on Hollywood Park’s synthetic surface for trainer Neil Drysdale.

Fifty Proof has bullet work

Fifty Proof, coming off a second-place finish behind Redwood in the Northern Dancer, breezed five furlongs in a bullet 59.80 seconds under regular rider Justin Stein on the main track here this past Saturday.

“He doesn’t look like he’s going that fast,” said Ian Black, who caught Fifty Proof galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.40.

Fifty Proof is one of three locally based candidates for the Canadian International, along with Spice Route and Simmard, both of whom are trained by Roger Attfield.

Spice Route trained over the main turf course here Monday morning.

First Europeans touch down

The first planeload of Europeans checked in here Saturday evening and included Lahaleeb, who will be seeking a repeat in the E.P. Taylor for new connections.

Joining Lahaleeb were fellow E.P. Taylor candidates Contredanse, Gallic Star, and Pach Attack, plus Nearctic hopeful Serious Attitude.

The E.P. Taylor’s European presence was expected to be bolstered by Akarlina, Reggane, Shalanaya, and Silver Grey, all of whom were slated to arrive on Tuesday.

Nearctic candidates Amico Fritz and Balthazaar’s Gift were scheduled to be on the same flight.

Miss Keller, one of just two locally based hopefuls for the E.P. Taylor, breezed five furlongs on the main turf course in 1:04 here Sunday.

“It was more like a strong gallop,” said Attfield, who trains both Miss Keller and the only other locally-based Taylor candidate, Mekong Melody.

Four get in shape for Nearctic

Nearctic candidates Grand Adventure, Fatal Bullet, Signature Red, and Bridgetown all worked here over the weekend.

Bridgetown, who shipped in from Saratoga last Thursday for trainer Ken McPeek, breezed five furlongs in 1:03 on the main turf course Sunday morning.

Grand Adventure breezed five furlongs on the turf training course Sunday under regular rider Patrick Husbands in 59.40 seconds, the fastest of 32 works at the distance.

Signature Red breezed five furlongs on 1:01.60 on the Polytrack Sunday under his new rider, Luis Contreras.

Fatal Bullet, who will be looking to use the Nearctic as a stepping-stone to the five-furlong Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs, breezed five furlongs in 1:02 with exercise rider Darren Rogers in the irons on the training track Saturday.

Signature Red breezed five furlongs on 1:01.60 on the Polytrack Sunday under his new rider, Luis Contreras.