Joshua Tree seeking third win in Canadian International

"He was able to go out and dictate the race," Stringer said. "Ryan gave him a

really good ride from the front. We thought he'd nicked the race really but he

just got chinned on the line by a French horse (Verema). We didn't get a chance

to battle back which is what is what his great quality is, battling, he loves a

fight and lays it down in the stretch and sticks his neck out really good."

Joshua Tree has become a welcome fixture at the Canadian International over

recent years winning the 2010 and 2012 editions, along with a second-place run

to the good filly Sarah Lynx in 2011. A versatile type, Joshua Tree settled in

fifth position before launching his winning bid in 2010, while last year the bay

set a measured pace with plenty in reserve to turn back Dandino at the wire.

In other Canadian International news:

Slumber, a lightly-raced five-year-old British-bred son of Cacique, will be

one of the favorites for the Canadian International despite the fact he'll be

making just his fourth start in two years and only his 12th career outing.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who won the 1995 International with

Lassigny, and ridden by another Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Slumber enters off a

solid fourth place finish in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont

Park on September 28, just 1 1/4 lengths behind Breeders' Cup Turf-bound Little

Mike, two-time Grade 1 winner Big Blue Kitten and Arlington Million winner Real

Solution.

"He kind of had to wait to make his run. Maybe if he had got clear a little

earlier he could have benefited and been a little closer," said Mott of the Turf

Classic.

Slumber, who will try to give owner Juddmonte Farm a record fourth

International win (since the race moved to turf in 1958) after victories with

French Glory in 1990, course record-holder Raintrap in 1994 and Champs Elysees

in 2009, first arrived in North America from England in November of 2011 and

finished a closing fourth in the Hollywood Derby.

He was off nine months before resurfacing at Saratoga, promptly winning an

allowance, then was off for just over a year before returning this past August

at Saratoga, winning another allowance before his Turf Classic run.

About the two long layoffs for Slumber, Mott said, "Just had to give him a

lot of time. It seemed like he wasn't right. No surgery was needed. He might be

one of those horses who likes a lot of time between races."

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com