One of the biggest days of turf racing in Canada was held last Sunday, September 19th, when the C$300,000 Gr.2 Canadian Stakes (for fillies and mares) over 9 furlongs, the C$750,000 Gr.1 Northern Dancer Turf, over 1-1/2 miles, and the $1,000,000 Gr.1 Woodbine Mile, over – you guessed it – one mile, were contested at the suburban Toronto track.

A sprinkling of European challengers flew over to grace the occasion. First, Latin Love (by Danehill Dancer) came a long way from Tipperary, from the stables of David Wachman to be precise, and looked like raising the flag for Irish-breds in the Canadian when the field turned for home. Unfortunately for her connections, the Coolmore miss found the finishing kick of another Irish-bred – but locally-trained – runner in the shape of Miss Keller (Montjeu – Ingozi, by Warning) to be too strong. Schooled by veteran Roger Attfield for Three Chimneys Racing, the winner was bred by the British-based Hascombe & Valiant Studs.

Next of the day's features was the Northern Dancer, named after Canada's best-known Thoroughbred who despite never having raced on grass produced a string of high-class turf performers during his long career at stud. Ever eager to spot an opportunity, Juddmonte Farms sent over home-bred Redwood (High Chaparral – Arum Lily, by Woodman) from England to try and gain elusive Gr.1 honours for the handsome, refined colt. Bet down to favouritism, Redwood was given a perfect ride by Michael Hills; kept last in the early stages, he was brought through on the speed-favouring rail to overtake rank outsider Fifty Proof (by Whiskey Wisdom).

It was something of a family affair as the colt is trained by the rider's father, Barry Hills, at Lambourn in Berkshire, who was represented here by another son, assistant trainer Charlie Hills. “I was under no fixed plan,” said Michael Hills “I took the inside run. English horses like that, you know. I was getting just a perfect passage. I was hoping the horse in front would come off the rail, and he did. It was like, ‘C’mon, Mike, go do your thing’, and away he went”. Redwood could return to the track for the Gr.1 Pattison Canadian International on October 16th.

Is it too much to hope that in the near future the rich prize money on offer – the equivalent of Rs.3.32 crores this year – will prove to be an irresistible lure for the owner of a top class Indian-bred? The final feature of the afternoon saw another Juddmonte owned-and-bred runner attracting the public purse. Unfortunately Famous Name (by Dansili), from Dermot Weld's yard in Ireland, failed to act on the firm ground and could finish only seventh in the Woodbine Mile. Winless since February, multiple Gr.1 winner Court Vision (Gulch – Weekend Storm, by Storm Bird) accelerated past The Usual Q. T. (by Unusual Heat) late in the proceedings to annex the rich prize.

Returning from injury, Robby Albarado rode a peach of a race on the Rick Dutrow-trainee, keeping him relaxed and out of trouble. "He ran an awful nice race today," said Albarado. "Court Vision is such a cool horse to ride. We were both coming off a long layoff but it worked out well for us," he added.

USA
California-based trainer Noble Threewitt passed away last week at the ripe old age of 99. He had trained more than 2,000 winners, including the likes of Correlation (winner of the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes), Cuzwuzwrong (California Derby), Devoted Brass (Swaps Stakes) and Old Topper (Pat O'Brien Handicap). He was, as might be expected, a member of the old school. Threewitt is said to have woken up every morning at 2 a.m. in order to get to the track early. Contrast that with the present day, when some members of his profession stroll up to their stables at 7 or 8 a.m.!

He held a unique distinction – being personally present at the first-ever meetings held at each of California's major race tracks – Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields. It is at the last-named track that this writer (then a member of a visiting student's group from nearby UC Davis) was introduced to him way back in the spring of 1971, and he was most kind in giving the group members an extensive insight into life on the backstretch. He also explained the various facets of stable management and a trainer's career in general. A true gentleman, may he rest in peace.

With summer ebbing away, all eyes are on forthcoming "fall" action. Plans have been announced for a number of major runners for that all-important prep race before tackling the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs in November.

One of the top two older males on dirt in the USA, Blame (by Arch) heads for the Gr.1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on October 2nd. He is aiming to extend his winning sequence of five consecutive victories. Trained by Al Stall, the four-year-old is one of the most improved runners in these parts and only Quality Road (by Elusive Quality) – whom he beat last time out albeit in receipt of 5 pounds – can be rated higher at this time.

Although he has faced his share of vicissitudes, Lookin At Lucky (by Smart Strike) is the best three-year-old colt in North America on dirt who is still in training – the other claimant for that title, Eskenderaya (by Giant's Causeway) has long since been retired. Handler Bob Baffert has been busy restoring his ward to peak fitness after he spiked a fever several weeks ago. Now it appears that the 16th running of the $500,000 Gr.2 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana (just outside Indianapolis, home of the famous 500-mile car race), also on October 2nd, will see the colt returning to action. “If Lucky works very well he will start in Indiana Derby,” Baffert said, adding “He looks really well now and is back on track. That should set him up for the Classic.” Since then Lookin At Lucky has turned in a bullet work, essaying six furlongs in 1:11-1/5 at Hollywood Park on September 22nd which means it should be all systems go....

Odds-on to lose the title of Horse of the Year, which she won in 2009, because of her less-than-stellar performances this year, Rachel Alexandra (by Medaglia d'Oro) is being pointed to the Gr.1 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park the same afternoon. This would serve as a "belt-tightener" for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. If she can win convincingly, it will go a long way to restoring her slightly tarnished reputation.

Meanwhile, her arch-rival (for Horse of The Year honours, it must be said – the pair has never met on the track) Zenyatta (by Street Cry) continues to train forwardly. She is headed for the $250,000 Gr.1 Lady’s Secret Stakes on October 2nd at the Oak Tree meeting in California, which is to be held this year at Hollywood Park instead of its traditional Santa Anita home. Last year this race was named the Zenyatta Stakes but reverted to its original name at the request of the undefeated racemare's owners, Jerry and Ann Moss.

The connections of turf specialist Gio Ponti (by Tale Of The Cat), owned by Castleton Lyons and schooled by Christophe Clement, are trying an experiment with their champion – he is shortening up in distance and will be tackling the Gr.1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on October 9th. Although he has won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at this trip, he has been spending most of his time since then over slightly longer trips and it will be interesting to see if he can be "sharpened up".

Japan Last week this column had commented on a couple of Japanese contenders aiming for plum targets in the USA. There is another Japanese pair attempting to gain international recognition by tackling the Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, on October 2nd. Although Japanese 2,000 Guineas winner Victoire Pisa (by Neo Universe) weakened to be fourth in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp on his first European start – beaten over 8 lengths by current Arc favourite, Behkabad (by Cape Cross) – he has worked exceptionally well since, giving hope to his connections. However, he has the best part of 6 kg. to find on form in order for him to be considered a serious candidate for honours.

His fellow countrymate, Nakayama Festa (by Stay Gold), whose best performance came when he annexed the Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin last June, did somewhat better than his colleague when runner-up to Duncan (by Dalakhani) in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Foy, also at Longchamp. Here he had the distinction of beating the likes of Byword and Daryakhana. He comes from the yard of Yoshitaka Ninomiya, who knows what it takes, having sent El Condor Pasa (by Kingmambo) to a runner-up effort in the 1999 Arc. Still, Nakayama Festa will also have to improve somewhat to be able to take a hand in the finish of the Arc.