Joshua Tree Wins Pattison Canadian International Stakes

The rock band U2 hails from Dublin, Ireland, and so does its "The Joshua Tree" album namesake, Thoroughbred Joshua Tree. Foaled in Ireland out of Madeira Mist (Ire), by Grand Lodge, and sired by Montjeu (Ire), Joshua Tree is also a grandson of Sadler's Wells, by Northern Dancer (1961).

The only three-year-old in the race prevailed in a four-horse blanket finish at Woodbine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in the October 16th running of the $2,013,600 (Canadian funds) Pattison Canadian International Stakes (Can-IT), the turf race that offered the last, grand performance of the immortal Secretariat.

The Canadian International Stakes was part of the last "Win and You're In" (to the November Breeders' Cup World Championships) race card of the season.

Joshua Tree By A Nostril

The blanket finish was won by a nostril's whisker, as Joshua Tree captured his third win from six starts the hard way, holding on as Sadler's Wells son Mores Wells and Great Britain's Redwood, sired by Breeders' Cup champion High Chaparral, closed in on him. A half length behind, Al Khali came fourth.

Joshua Tree covered the 1-1/2 miles in 2:32.72, racing to the lead in a late charge for owners Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Khalfia bin Hamad Al Attyiah. The bay colt is one of 93 stakes winners of Montjeu.

Joshua Tree was bred in Ireland by Castlemartin Stud and Skymarc Farm. Colm O'Donoghue rode him to the winner's circle. His share of the purse boosted his lifetime earnings to $1,393,252.

His nomination to the Breeders' Cup Turf on November 6 is undecided, trainer Aidan P. O'Brien reported to post-race interviewers about winning the Breeders' Cup Challenge race.

E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT)

Four-year-old filly Reggane raced to a one length victory in the 1-1/4 miles $1,002,000 (Canadian funds) E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT), also at Woodbine on October 16. She is one of 102 stakes winners of her sire, Red Ransom (1987).

Ridden by Christophe Soumillon. Reggane won her third career race, raising her bankroll to $844,478. She also has four seconds and one third on her resume.

She is trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, and owned by breeder-owners Haras de la Perelle of England.

Serious Attitude in Nearctic Stakes

Serious Attitude won the third race on the day's card, the $508,800 (Canadian funds) Nearctic Stakes (Can-IT).

The Mtoto (1983)--Zameyla, by Cape Cross (Ire), four-year-old filly indeed displayed a serious attitude, traveling to victory by 2-1/2 lengths over the six furlongs in 1:09.37 for owners Derek J. Willis and Rae Guest.

Guest also trains the bay filly who traces to Danzig as a great-great grandsire.

Serious Attitude bankrolled $296,460 as her share of the winning purse, bringing her lifetime earnings to $655,497. In twelve career starts, she has won five times, while also claiming a second place finish.

Big Red's Inaugural Canadian International

Secretariat took the winner's share of the inaugural Canadian International Stakes's (G2) $125,000 purse in October of 1973, easily drawing away to victory.

Big Red's career earnings totaled $1,316,808 from 21 starts that included 16 wins, three placings, and one show.