Record holder among probables for Canadian International

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - A dozen are expected to leave the starting gate Sunday in the $1 million Canadian International at Woodbine. Among the 12 grass specialists in the 1 1/2-mile event is world record holder Twilight Eclipse.

Owned by West Point Thoroughbred, Twilight Eclipse established the record for 1 1/2 miles early this spring at Gulfstream Park in the Pan American Stakes with a time of 2:22.63.

"We liked the horse leading up to the race but never would have imagined we'd break a world record that day. It was a great achievement for the horse to put in an effort like that," said trainer Tom Albertrani.

The Pan American was the 4-year-old gelding's second start of the year after finishing fourth at Gulfstream in the Mac Diarmida.

Twilight Eclipse, who had been ridden by Javier Castellano the last five starts, will have Julien Leparoux for the International in an attempt to stop a four-race losing streak.

"I think he'll be well suited on that track," Albertrani noted, "and he'll appreciate the long stretch ... that's when he puts in his best running and it should be a course that suits him well. If we can get all that and have his best race in front of him, the horse looks like he could be very competitive."

The gelding has been able to pick up checks during the last four starts, but hasn't always had the turf to his liking. On a yielding course at Belmont Park he was fifth to Point of Entry in the Manhattan in June after a six week break.

He then finished second in both the Man o'War and Sword Dancer, but again finished fifth at Belmont in the Turf Classic to 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Little Mike.

"He probably tips about 16.2 hands. He's a nice leggy horse that likes to stretch out and relishes firm ground," said Albertrani.

In 12 career starts Twilight Eclipse has won four times for $517,611.

In alphabetical order here are the probable starters for the Canadian International: Forte Dei Marmi, Eurico Rosa da Silva; Hyper, Joel Rosario; Irish Mission, TBA; Joshua Tree, Ryan Moore; Lucayan, Stephane Pasquier; Now We Can, Thierry Thulliez; Perfect Timber, John Velazquez; Seismos, Andrea Atzeni; Slumber, Mike Smith; Stormy Len, TBA; Temeraine. Luis Contreras and Twilight Eclipse, Julien Leparoux.