Exotics Plays for the Canadian International

A strong field of 10 will travel 1 1/2 miles over the Woodbine lawn in Saturday’s aptly named $750,000 Canadian International S. (G1). The race has a strong European flair with a trio of horses based overseas leading the way in the event, and I feel that the three of them will be formidable in the tilt. 

Canadian International Exotics Plays

• $15 Exacta: 1 with 10 ($15)
• $7 Exacta: box 1,10 ($14)
• $1 Trifecta: 1,10 with 1,6,7,10 with 1,6,7,10 ($12)
• $1 Superfecta: 1,10 with 1,6,7,10 with 1,6,7,10 with 1,6,7,10 ($12)

#1 Haunted Dream (4-1) made his North American debut on the oval in the Singspiel S. (G3) on Sept. 6 and drove clear to a convincing, 1 1/2-length winner while going off as the race favorite. One of two in the cast for these connections, the Wathnan color bearer showed useful tactical speed and a fine turn of foot in his recent outing and could easily take a step forward in his second local appearance. The gray son of Oasis Dream was assigned the rail once again and will sit a ground-saving trip with Rafael Hernandez staying in the silks. 

#10 Nations Pride (1-1) is among the better turf stayers around and bagged this race in 2023 when it was contested at 10 furlongs. The Charlie Appleby trainee is 11-for-23 in his lifetime and had a solid prep for this when missing by a length while third in the Sword Dancer S. (G1) at Saratoga. The Teofilo six-year-old might be better suited to shorter distances, but he is all class and has an obvious affinity for the surface, as well. Billy Loughnane will be in the silks and will have the bay in the second or third flight in the early stages. 

#7 Silawi (12-1) is not the most consistent horse in training, but the Dubawi gelding was last seen defeating Group 3 foes at Royal Windsor and will get Lasix for the initial time, too. The Irish-bred bay will move to 1 1/2 miles on this occasion and might benefit from the added ground in his North American bow. The second Wathnan entrant has speed and will never be out of touch in the tilt with Tudhope coming in to ride. 

Mark Casse’s #6 Tosen Wish (15-1) has exotics appeal at a price after running second in the Singspiel. The New Bay gelding was campaigned mostly as a miler type prior to his latest, when he made a nice run into the lane and stayed on for runner-up honors. The Irish-bred has improved his Brisnet Speed rating in three straight appearances and could surely grab a share late in a field with plenty of early speed signed on.