and the E.P. Taylor Stakes
Dateline: 10/17/99
Today was a big day of racing at Woodbine with 3 graded stakes races. First was the Highlander Handicap for the sprinters (G2) which was won by longshot Vice n' Friendly. Next was the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) for the fillies and mares, won by the French bred Insight. Finally you had the Canadian International at 12 furlongs on the turf which was another upset shocker as the longest shot on the board. Thornfield, won. The weather was a bit on the cool side and rain threatened all day but luckily never materialized.
Highlander Stakes 1 Vice n' Friendly 55.30 18.80 6.80 3 One Way Love 4.10 2.80 7 Mr. Epperson 4.40 Final Time: 1:09.08 $2 Triactor 1-3-7 1,138.20 $2 Exactor 1-3 190.40Full Chart
Vice N' Friendly is a 4 year old Ontario bred bay gelding by Vice Regent out of Very Best Friend by Best Turn.
E.P. Taylor Stakes 3 Insight (FR) 14.20 6.90 4.70 1 Cerulean Sky (IRE) 5.70 3.90 5 Midnight Line 4.00 Final Time: 2:05.34 $2 Triactor 3-1-5 262.20 $2 Exactor 3-1 50.80Full Chart
Insight is a 4 year old French bred bay filly by Sadler's Wells out of Or Vision by Irish River.
Canadian International 5 Thornfield 39.70 11.80 6.60 3 Fruits of Love 4.60 3.20 4 Courteous (GB) 7.40 Final Time: 2:32.39 $2 Triactor 5-3-4 1,383.30 $2 Exactor 5-3 135.00 $1 Superfecta 5-3-4-9 7,456.20Full Chart
Thornfield is a 5 year old Ontario bred chestnut gelding by Sky Classic out of Alexandrina by Conquistador Cielo.
Longshot Vice n' Friendly has the last laugh in the winner's circle after the Highlander Stakes.
E.P. Taylor winner Insight in the paddock prior to the race.
Coming down the stretch in the E.P. Taylor with winner Insight just taking the lead.
The finish of the E.P. Taylor with winner Insight in front by 1 1/2 lengths
Eventual Canadian International winner Thornfield in the paddock prior to the race.
The favorite was British shipper Fruits of Love who rallied nicely but was unable to catch Thornfield and finished second.
The finish of the Canadian International. You may view a video of the finish in MPEG format here. You need Windows Media Player, Real Player, or any mpeg video player software to view the video.
Thornfield returns after his big win. The win made him the first Canadian International winner sired by a Canadian International winner (Sky Classic, 1991).
Thornfield's trainer, Phil England, leads him to the winner's circle.
Steve Stavro of Knob Hill Stable celebrates his first major stakes win.
Presentation of the trophies, including the huge Emirates Racing Series trophy.
Canadian International and Canadian racing links:
- Entries and morning line odds for the big races
- Canadian International - official page from the OJC
- Emirates World Series Racing Championship - the International is part of this series so lots of info here
- Past Performances - in Adobe Acrobat format for the International from the Daily Racing Form (available starting late Friday)
- Woodbine Stable Notes - lots of Canadian International info now and updated frequently
- British trio headed to Canada - from Sporting Life
- SLAM! Horse Racing - Canadian horse racing coverage
- News Index Search - should pick up some articles from the various online news sources
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
- Toronto - a look at the city from About.com guide Andrea Mulder-Slater
- Canada's Sports Hall of Fame - the horse racing section
- Canadian Racing Facts - from Sporting Life, race dates are old but the information is still useful
- Canadian Farm Directories by province from the Blood Horse
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All photos by the author except where noted, Canadian International logo courtesy of Ontario Jockey Club