Interpol hangs tough to win Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Interpol proved his recent win in the Grade 2 Sky Classic wasn’t a fluke when he captured Sunday’s Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf, a prep for Grade 1 Canadian International next month.

With Emma-Jayne Wilson up, Interpol pressed the 3-year-old Danish Dynaformer through slow fractions in the 12-furlong marathon contested over yielding turf. Interpol took control midway in the stretch as Danish Dynaformer began to tire and held off a late bid along the inside from the mare Habibi to score by a half-length in 2:33.56.

Triple Threat edged out the 8-5 favorite Lucky Speed for third in the nine-horse field. They were followed by Oil Strike, Danish Dynaformer, Ami’s Holiday, Aldous Snow, and Glenard.

Interpol ($22.60) earned $216,000 of the $339,400 purse for JMJ Racing Stable and trainer Sid Attard.

“Sid said going a mile and a half that we’d probably be sitting a little closer, as we were,” said Wilson. “Turning for home, I knew if I could get a head in front, that he’d be real tough. Very few horses can keep their head in front for the entire length of this stretch, but he seems to enjoy it and wants to be there. I just let him run his race.”