Old Persian brings Group 1 credentials to Northern Dancer Turf

ETOBICOKE, Ontario—Old Persian, who won the won the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, should be favored in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf on the Woodbine Mile undercard.

Old Persian’s earnings from the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic make up the bulk of his $4.2 million in career earnings. Based in England, he has started twice since that race, throwing in a rare clunker finishing seventh in the Group 1 Coronation Cup on May 31 at Epsom, then running third in a Group 1 fixture in Germany on Aug. 11.

Old Persian has made seven of his 15 starts at the 1 1/2-mile distance of the Northern Dancer, including his last four.

Sophie Chretien, an assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, said the Godolphin-owned Old Persian ran creditably in Germany and should like the Woodbine turf course.

“It was a good comeback,” Chretien said. “I think that race will help him for Saturday’s race. He traveled well. I think this track will suit him – a big, left-handed track that’s like Meydan in a way. The ground should be good to firm, which he will like. I think he should be competitive.”

The Northern Dancer lured a field of six and goes as the 10th of 12 races.

KEY CONTENDERS

Old Persian, by Dubawi

Last 3 Beyer: NA-NA-NA

◗ Appleby sent out the favored Hawkbill in the last two runnings of this event. The speedy Hawkbill was beaten on the wire in 2017, and he faded to seventh last year. Johnny Bear won both times.

Tiz a Slam, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 97-95-95

◗ Canada’s leading grass runner, he has won his last three outings on the lead in graded stakes, two of which were over this course and distance.

◗ Robert Landry, owner Chiefswood Stable’s general manager, said the Roger Attfield-trained 5-year-old has never been better.

“He’s in a real good place right now,” Landry said. “He’s matured. We’ve always thought he’s had a lot of talent, and he’s showing it now. He’s a big horse. He ran well as a younger horse, but it took some time for him to develop into a real nice horse. He has a high cruising speed. He doesn’t have to be on the lead, and I think if he could be off it a little, he could be even more effective. The pace will dictate where he is.”

Sir Sahib, by Fort Larned

Last 3 Beyers: 90-91-77

◗ A closer, he has been chasing Tiz a Slam. Two starts ago, he finished third behind him in the Grade 3 Singspiel, and he is coming off a wide second to him in the Grade 2 Nijinsky.

“There’s been no pace in his races, and it’s really hurt him,” trainer Kevin Attard said. “If he could get an honest pace in front of him, it would help his running style. Unfortunately, in the Northern Dancer it doesn’t like it’s going to happen, either.”