Conduit eyes BC Turf, Japan Cup

Although Michael Stoute is apparently pointing defending Breeders' Cup Turf titleholder Conduit to the Japan Cup on Nov. 29, it is still possible that Conduit, winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, could run in the Turf. There will be 22 days between the Turf and the Japan Cup, while the break between the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - in which Conduit finished fourth, just two heads behind runner-up Youmzain - and the race in Tokyo is eight weeks.

Whichever race Conduit goes in, he will improve for his Arc effort as that was his first outing since the King George on July 25.

Should Conduit pass the Turf, he has a more than capable replacement in stablemate Spanish Moon, the gate-shy winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the Prix Foy, both at 1 1/2 miles. The El Prado 5-year-old has been banned from running in Britain for six months through mid-November for having refused to enter the gate on at least two occasions.

The Canadian International at Woodbine on Saturday could be an all-European affair, with Jukebox Jury heading the field against a group of weak North Americans. With three weeks between the International and the Turf, the race should be watched closely for Breeders' Cup clues.

Last year's English Oaks winner Look Here, a very close third in June in the Group 1 Coronation Cup and a nose second last time in the Group 3 Arc Trial, could use the E.P. Taylor as a stepping-stone to either the Turf or the Filly and Mare Turf.

Dar Re Mi is another filly still under consideration for both the Turf and the Filly and Mare Turf. With the Turf growing weaker by the day, we might see a late influx of entries whose trainers realize just how subpar the field looks at this time.