Marsh Side jumps in, General Jumbo out

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine's $2 million Canadian International has gained one prospective entrant in Marsh Side but lost another in General Jumbo.

That left the probable field for Sunday's Grade 1 Canadian International, a 1 1/2-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and upward, at 14 as of Tuesday morning, with the status of locally based Sterwins still to be determined.

The Canadian International field will be announced at a special ceremonial draw at noon Thursday in Woodbine's trackside tent.

Marsh Side, owned by Robert Evans and trained at Tapeta Farm by Michael Dickinson, would be making his fourth visit to Woodbine.

In his first appearance here last December, Marsh Side became a stakes winner in the 1 3/4-mile Valedictory on the main track.

Marsh Side then was off until July 22, when he returned here and finished second in the Grade 2 Northern Dancer at 1 1/2 miles on turf. The winner, Sky Conqueror, also is on target for Sunday's Canadian International.

Marsh Side has been less effective in his last two starts, however, as he finished last of seven in Belmont's Grade 1 Man o' War on Sept. 8 and fifth, beaten two lengths, in the Grade 2 Sky Classic here Sept. 23. Both races were run at 1 3/8 miles on firm turf.

Emma-Jayne Wilson, who has ridden Marsh Side in all of his appearances here, gets the call.

General Jumbo, who had been targeted for the Canadian International after winning the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Turf, has come up with an injury and probably will be out until next spring.

"He seems to have strained his tendon when we worked him over the weekend," said Graham Motion, who trains General Jumbo for Thomas Conway Jr. "I don't think it's going to be career-ending, but it certainly wouldn't make sense to run this weekend. We'll probably give him several months off and hopefully get him back in the spring."

* The European shippers who arrived here for Sunday's Canadian International, Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes, and Grade 2 Nearctic Handicap all took light exercise here Tuesday morning after arriving at about 12:30 a.m. Monday. Ask, owned by Patrick Fahey and trained by Michael Stoute, was the only invader to sample the turf course.