Joshua Tree nominated for Canadian International hat trick

Joshua Tree, defending and two-time champion of the Canadian International,

and Canada's top turf stayer, Forte Dei Marmi, head a list of 17 nominees for

the 76th edition of the historic Grade 1, C$1 million race.

The Canadian International, contested at 1 1/2 miles over the E.P. Taylor

Turf Course, is slated for October 27 at Woodbine.

Joshua Tree, celebrated hero of the 2010 and 2012 renewals of the

International, may return to Woodbine to defend his title. The Montjeu

six-year-old has been in moderate form in 2013, but is Group 1-placed this year

and clearly a big fan of the Woodbine turf circuit. The bay was also second to

Sarah Lynx in the 2011 edition of the International.

Interestingly, Joshua Tree would be trying to win this race for a third

different trainer. Aidan O'Brien had him when he won as a sophomore in 2010,

Marco Botti was his conditioner in 2011 and 2012, and he moved to Ed Dunlop's

yard this season.

Joshua Tree exits a 13th behind Treve in the famed Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

last Sunday for owners Khalid al Nabooda and Kamel Albahou.

Forte Dei Marmi, trained by Roger Attfield for Stella Perdomo, will look to

cement his status as Canada's top Thoroughbred in the International. The

seven-year-old son of Selkirk has won three straight, including the Northern

Dancer Turf last month. The bay was a solid third to his chief rival in the race

last year.