Hawkbill class on grass in Northern Dancer
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The English invader Hawkbill, a Kentucky-bred with an impressive record, figures to be a short price in the Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf on Saturday’s Woodbine Mile undercard.
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A front-runner trained by Charles Appleby, Hawkbill has won 8 of 17 starts, most notably the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in 2016.
Hawkbill has a Group 2 and Group 3 victory to his credit this year, and he was third behind Highland Reel in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. Most recently, Aug. 13, he was second as the favorite in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, which was won by Dschingis Secret, who subsequently captured the Group 2 Prix Foy at Chantilly.
Assistant trainer Sophia Chretien said that race, run at Hoppegarten in Germany, came up salty.
“They have some very good turf horses and jockeys in Germany,” Chretien said. “They’re tough to beat. He was on the lead. That’s his style. The ground was just on the soft side, and maybe he should have put a bit more pace early on. He just got beat at the end, a bit unlucky.”
A field of eight was drawn for the 12-furlong Northern Dancer Turf, which encompasses one lap around the European-style course at Woodbine.
KEY CONTENDERS
Hawkbill, by Kitten’s Joy
◗ A $350,000 Keeneland yearling purchase, the Godolphin-owned 4-year-old has a tendency to get wound up pre-race, behavior that could be helped with the addition of Lasix on Saturday.
“He traveled very well,” Chretien said. “He’s gotten to know the place doing his regular canter.”
Messi, by New Approach
Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-91
◗ The 7-year-old has gone winless in five starts since taking the Grade 2 Sky Classic here in August 2016. Trainer Graham Motion sent him out to finish a close third in a July 21 optional claimer at Saratoga, from which the top two finishers both exited to score.
Noble Thought, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyer: 97-85-85
◗ The 4-year-old ran the race of his life a month ago when second to the heavily favored Can’thelpbelieving in the 1 3/8-mile Sky Classic. This longer distance should be right up his alley.
Johnny Bear, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 93-66-92
◗ Another late bloomer, the 6-year-old notched his first stakes win Aug. 30 in the 1 1/2-mile Halton, an event restricted to graduates of local yearling sales.
Pumpkin Rumble, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 93-91-89
◗ He finished third in his last four outings, including the Sky Classic and the Grade 2 Nijinsky. He should be tracking Hawkbill early, and it might be his job to put some heat on the favorite.