Brian Boru, Phoenix Reach invade for International

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Brian Boru and Phoenix Reach, who finished first and third in the Group 1 St. Leger at Doncaster on Sept. 13, will renew their rivalry Sunday in the $1.5 million Canadian International.

As of Monday, a field of 10 was in the works for the Grade 1 Canadian International, a 1 1/2-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up.

Sunday's card also includes the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes, a $750,000, 1 1/4-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Brian Boru was a 1 1/4-length winner of the St. Leger, a 1 13/16-mile race for 3-year-olds. Mick Kinane, who rode Ballingarry to victory in last year's Canadian International, has picked up the mount on Brian Boru.

Phoenix Reach was beaten by 2 3/4 lengths in the St. Leger and will be ridden here by Martin Dwyer.

Brian Boru and Phoenix Reach arrived at Woodbine on Sunday night.

Gruntled, a 4-year-old who is trained in France, was due in early Monday evening along with Mer de Corail, a 4-year-old whose target is the E.P. Taylor Stakes. Gruntled and Mer de Corail are trained by John Hammond.

Others expected for the International are Ballingarry, who was sold following the 2002 International and now is based in California; Lunar Sovereign and Macaw, from New York; Bowman Mill, who came up from his Maryland headquarters and won last month's Sky Classic; Sabiango, who came over from Germany and finished fourth in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Belmont Sept. 27; Art Variety, from Kentucky; and local stalwart Strut the Stage.

Four other European-raced candidates for the E.P. Taylor Stakes were on the grounds as of Monday afternoon.

Hi Dubai, a 3-year-old filly, arrived last Friday evening and will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who has been aboard in each of her five career starts.

Tigertail, a 4-year-old trained in France by Rodolphe Collet, checked in Sunday night, while Walzerkoenigin has been on the grounds for a week. Walzerkoenigin, who is based on Germany, finished second in Belmont's Grade 1 Flower Bowl.

After finishing fourth in Belmont's Grade 1 Garden City Breeders' Cup, Baie joined trainer Mark Frostad's outfit here last month and will target the E.P. Taylor Stakes.