Woodbine: Joshua Tree possible for Canadian International

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Joshua Tree, winner of Woodbine’s Grade 1 Canadian International in 2010 and 2012 and second in the 2011 running, is under consideration for this year’s renewal, the Woodbine media department reported Thursday.

The $1 million Canadian International, a 1 1/2-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up, attracted 17 nominees, while 24 fillies and mares were listed for the same day’s E.P. Taylor Stakes, a Grade 1, $500,000 stakes at 1 1/4 miles on the grass.

Joshua Tree, now 6, ran last Sunday in Longchamp’s Grade 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where he was prominent early but faltered to finish 13th in the 18-horse field.

Forte dei Marmi, who was beaten a length when third behind Joshua Tree last year, will return riding the crest of a three-race win streak.
Trained by Roger Attfield, the 7-year-old gelding became a Grade 1 winner here Sept. 15 in the 1 1/2-mile Northern Dancer while leaving his stablemate Perfect Timber, who also is Canadian International bound, a neck back in second place.

Irish Mission, beaten a length when fourth in the Northern Dancer for trainer Mark Frostad, is the only other local candidate for the Canadian International and also is listed for the E.P. Taylor.

Minakshi, Colonial Flag, and Moment of Majesty, the 1-2-3 finishers in the Grade 2 Canadian at 1 1/8 miles on the grass here Sept. 15, also are E.P. Taylor candidates.

Michael Matz trains both Minakshi and Colonial Flag at his Fair Hill base, while Moment of Majesty resides here in Attfield’s stable.