Canadian International draws Euro trio, Tawny Port

The field of seven for the C$750,000 Canadian International (G1) at Woodbine on Saturday features a dangerous trio of European invaders.

Arabian Crown and Purview will rematch over the 1 1/2-mile E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Last month, in the Kilternan (G3) at Leopardstown on Irish Champions weekend, Arabian Crown registered an 11-1 upset by 2 1/4 lengths. Group 3 winner Purview, the 6-5 favorite in the Kilternan, was edged out of second by a neck.

The third overseas challenger is the three-year-old Ancient Egypt, who narrowly missed winning the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and King Edward VII (G2) over the summer. Favored against older horses in the Christophe Clement Turf (G1) at Saratoga, Ancient Egypt was a one-paced fourth after a slow start.

Three-year-olds, though, have had limited success in the International this century. The last to win was Joshua Tree, who in 2010 won the first of three Internationals.

The leading North American hope is Tawny Port. A nose second in the 2025 Canadian International, the marathon specialist has captured the two-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G2) and 2 1/16-mile Nashville Gold Cup over his last three starts.

The C$200,000 Dance Smartly (G2), a 1 1/16-mile grass test for fillies and mares, features a rematch between Proctor Street and Eponine, who were separated by a neck in the Aug. 15 Canadian (G2). Also in the mix is Warming, winner of the Gallorette (G3) and Yellow Ribbon (G2) this term.

Multiple graded stakes winner Gas Me Up looks like the horse to beat in the C$250,000 Nearctic (G2), a six-furlong turf dash. Gas Me Up shortens up after finishing third behind champion Notable Speech and Deterministic in the Woodbine Mile (G1).