Second Step, Sheikhzayedroad among Canadian International nominees

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The European runners Second Step and Sheikhzayedroad are among the 20 nominees to the 78th running of the $1 million Canadian International on Oct. 18 at Woodbine.

Second Step, a 4-year-old trained by Luca Cumani, won a Group 1 fixture in his penultimate start in Germany and is coming off a fourth in the Group 1 Irish St. Leger.

Sheikhzayedroad made headlines here last year when he captured the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf. The 6-year-old is winless in seven starts this season against some formidable company in England and Dubai.

Trainer Graham Motion said he plans on running Up With the Birds, the 2013 Canadian Horse of the Year. Lucky Speed, the 2013 German Derby winner, also is expected to start off a fourth-place finish in the Northern Dancer Turf.

The Grade 1 International is the feature on a spectacular card that also includes the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, the Grade 2 Nearctic, and the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion.

The International will be broadcast in Canada on TSN5 from 4:30-6 p.m. Eastern. Toronto Raptors president and general manager Masai Ujiri will be the guest draw master for the post-position draw Oct. 15.