Arabian Crown (FR) put on an exceptional display in Saturday’s 86th running of the $750,000 Canadian International (G1) at Woodbine. Following his recent impressive victory in the Singspiel Stakes (G3), Tomasello took an early lead in the 1½-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, with Arabian Crown settling into second place as the field navigated the first turn of the expansive E.P. Taylor turf course. Ancient Egypt (IRE) and Purview (GB) followed closely in third and fourth positions.
The race’s opening quarter-mile was clocked in 24.44 seconds over good turf, with Tomasello holding a one-length advantage over the 7-5 favorite Arabian Crown, a gap he maintained through a half-mile split of 50.97 seconds. Arabian Crown, coming off a 2¼-length victory in the Kilternan Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown on September 12—his third group-level win—was expertly guided by jockey Jamie Spencer, who kept close behind the leader through three-quarters of a mile in 1:17.10.
Shortly after, Spencer urged Arabian Crown forward, and the Dubawi gelding responded with a powerful burst, taking the lead and confidently distancing himself from his six rivals as they entered the home stretch. At mid-stretch, Arabian Crown drifted slightly toward the grandstand side, a deliberate choice by Spencer intended to position the horse on less worn turf.
Holding a two-length lead at the final stretch marker called by Robert Geller, the 5-year-old galloped to a commanding 3¾-length victory with a final time of 2:30.67. Tawny Port, who finished just a nose shy of first place last year, secured second, followed by Purview (GB) in third and Ancient Egypt in fourth.
Spencer, celebrating his first Canadian International win, expressed mixed feelings about not securing the lead early but acknowledged the horse’s fitness and confidence. His strategic move to guide Arabian Crown toward fresher ground paid off, as the horse maintained his momentum and strength down the stretch. This win marked Godolphin’s record fifth triumph in the fall classic and trainer Charlie Appleby’s third, tying his own record.
Assistant trainer Nikki Jones praised Arabian Crown’s outstanding performance, noting the horse’s excellent training and adaptability despite not leading from the start. Arabian Crown, lightly raced but steadily improving, had previously finished second in the G2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes behind Rebel’s Romance, another Godolphin star that retired with an illustrious career.
This victory was Arabian Crown’s first Grade 1 win and his North American debut. Bred by G. B. Partnership, his career record now stands at 7 wins, 1 second, and 2 thirds from 14 starts. The win adds to Godolphin’s recent success at Woodbine, coming shortly after Notable Speech (GB) captured the Woodbine Mile (G1) earlier in September. Godolphin and Appleby have enjoyed repeated success in this race in recent years, with previous wins by Walton Street (GB) in 2021 and Nations Pride (IRE) in 2023.
Arabian Crown’s victory paid $4.90 to win.
Fan Take: Arabian Crown’s breakthrough Grade 1 victory on his North American debut signals the emergence of a thrilling new contender in turf racing, highlighting the global reach and increasing competitiveness of the sport. For horse racing fans, this win not only celebrates top-tier talent but also adds excitement and international intrigue to the season ahead.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
