Johnny Bear to get another shot in Canadian International

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Johnny Bear captured the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes for the second year in a row on Sept. 15, and likely will make his next start in the Grade 1, $800,000 Canadian International on Oct. 13, trainer Ashlee Brnjas said.

Johnny Bear ran 10th in last year’s edition of the Canadian International, but the course was soft and Brnjas said he did not get over the ground well.

“I did not want to run that horse on that particular day just because of the weather conditions,” she said. “He started hopping up and down instead of striding out. He really does like a firmer turf.”

Johnny Bear started his 2018 campaign with a pair of fifth-place finishes, but has come around in his last three starts. He ran third in the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes on July 22, and was second in the Halton Stakes on Aug. 29, before winning the Northern Dancer Turf.

Brnjas said Johnny Bear has shown plenty of confidence around the barn in the days after the win.

“He’s walking around like he owns the barn,” she said. “He’s bouncing around. Originally, I was like ‘Let’s do an electrolyte jug, and let’s do this, and let’s do that.’ I was looking at him and thinking he doesn’t need anything. He’s very, very proud of himself, that’s for sure.”

Brnjas added she’ll be carefully monitoring weather conditions in the days leading up the International.

“We’re hoping the weather stays all right,” she said. “A little bit of rest and relaxation, and we come back in the International and keep our fingers crossed.”