Erupt looking to repeat in Canadian International

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The French raider Erupt exploded in the stretch to win last year’s Grade 1 Canadian International at 12-1. This year, he’s shipped in from Maryland and will be among the favorites Sunday in the 80th running of the 12-furlong event, which encompasses one lap around Woodbine’s roomy European-style turf course.

As in the past, Erupt has been inconsistent this year. He was a respectable fourth in the Group 1 Prix Ganay in May but wasn’t persevered with while finishing far back in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July. He changed trainers after ending up fifth in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga in August, going from Henri-Francis Graffard to Graham Motion, who is a regular visitor to Woodbine.

“He’s a Flaxman horse, and I train for Flaxman,” Motion said, referring to the ownership group of the Niarchos family. “After the Sword Dancer, they decided to keep him over here, with the idea of taking a shot to defend his title in this race. I’ve tried not to change too much because they obviously did a very good job with him in France. We’ve just tried to keep him on schedule for this. He’s a lovely horse to be around.”

The $800,000 International heads a 12-race card that also includes a wonderful edition of the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, along with the Grade 2 Nearctic and the Grade 3 Ontario Derby, which marks the homecoming for Queen’s Plate winner Holy Helena.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Erupt, by Dubawi
Beyers: 100-101

◗ He didn’t use Lasix in his two previous North American outings but is adding it Sunday.

◗ He will be ridden by Junior Alvarado, who teamed with Motion to win the Grade 2 Canadian with Quidura here Sept. 16.

Idaho, by Galileo
Beyers: 99-98

◗ The Aidan O’Brien trainee was a nonthreatening fifth when favored in last year’s International and is the 5-2 morning-line choice again under Ryan Moore, who has won this race three times.

◗ He raced prominently before fading to eighth behind the likes of Enable and Ulysses last out in the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and seems vulnerable coming back in just two weeks.

Chemical Charge, by Sea The Stars

◗ He wound up third behind Idaho three back in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and is exiting a victory over 12 furlongs on Polytrack in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton.

“He ran a very good race at Royal Ascot, and I think he’s improved since then,” trainer Ralph Beckett said. “I felt that if he won at Kempton, he should go to Woodbine.”

Johnny Bear, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 97-93-66

◗ The lone local entrant upset Group 1 winner Hawkbill when taking the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf by a nose here Sept. 16.

“I took him to the farm after the race and let him relax for a week,” co-owner John Burness said. “Then he trained on our training track the following week. He’s in good order.”

Messi, by New Approach
Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-93

◗ Motion felt the durable veteran had awkward trips when third in each of his last two races, a key optional claimer at Saratoga and in the 12-furlong Northern Dancer Turf.

“He had a little too much to do at Saratoga,” Motion said. “Last time, he got stuck down on the rail, and it’s always a little harder to win that way than when you’re coming outside horses. He’s a very consistent, nice, old horse – one of the barn favorites.”

Oscar Nominated, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 98-97-97

◗ He closed wide to win his last race in the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs for trainer Mike Maker.

Postulation, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 98-97-98

◗ After hitting the front in the stretch, he lost the 12-furlong Kentucky Turf Cup by a head, ending a two-race win streak.

◗ Trainer Edward Graham said blinkers and longer distances have turned the 5-year-old’s fortunes around this year.

“The blinkers have helped him focus a little bit, but really, it’s the distance that has made the difference,” Graham said.

Flamboyant, by Peer Gynt
Last 3 Beyers: 102-101-88

◗ The Southern California shipper finished third last time in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, a race that produced two subsequent graded stakes winners.