Consistency may trump class in E.P. Taylor, Canadian International

With rain forecast Saturday night and into Sunday in Toronto, chances are the Canadian International (G1) and E.P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine will be contested on ground less than firm.

In the 1 1/4-mile E.P. Taylor for fillies and mares, the ground figures to help contenders like #3 Quidura and #1 Kitten's Roar. Quidura, won won the Valley View (G3) last year on very soft ground and took the local Canadian (G2) last time, figures to be especially dangerous.

However, trainer Chad Brown has an interesting candidate in #2 FOURSTAR CROOK (8-1). Deftly handled by the conditioner to a nine-for-13 mark, she's spent a vast majority of her career in the New York-bred ranks. One fact that should not be overlooked, though, is that's she's three-for-three in open company, including a score in the Dr. James Penny Memorial (G3) at Parx in July.

She obviously faces vastly stronger rivals in this contest, but should thrive at this longer trip and has earned four triple-digit BRIS Late Pace ratings in her last five starts.

There are no particular soft-ground stickouts in the 1 1/2-mile Canadian International. #10 CHEMICAL CHARGE (5-1) has made only sporadic ventures into pattern company, but has run only one bad race in his life and enters off a tough, narrow victory in a Group 3 on the all-weather at Kempton.

With #4 Idaho and defending titlist #9 Erupt showing lackluster form of late, Chemical Charge could prove the one to beat among the European contingent.

(Chelsea Durand/Adam Coglianese Photography)