O Canada

I must admit, this is a weekend where I am quite underwhelmed by the racing. The Canadian International used to be a big weekend for me. But I'm not going to be able to see it live this year and that has taken some of the shine off. There is really nothing else going on this weekend that engages me at all. Belmont has the NY Showcase day but I've always been poor at state-breds and I'm really not excited about those races. I'm more excited in pondering Breeders Cup statistics and possibilities right now.

Analysis

EP Taylor
I'm going to stick with my girl Arravale in this race. She was unsuited by the pace last out and I think she really has loads of talent. She is versatile and can handle the distance. The two big dangers to her I see are Angara and Red Bloom. Angara is a soft ground specialist and she will get that going in her favour. On her best day she can beat the best of them. If she drifts to around the 8/1 mark she would definitely be worth a play. Red Bloom is undoubtedly the most dangerous threat to Arravale. The company she keeps is top drawer. Its hardly a blot on the resume to be losing to fillies like Alexander Goldrun and Pride. I wonder if maybe she does have a preference for right handed courses though. She has done better over them and that gives me some confidence whe playing against her.
1) Arravale 2) Angara 3) Red Bloom

Canadian International
I see this race as being pretty straightforward. Kastoria is the class of the field, she is well suited to the conditions and she is extremely consistent. I really dont see any way around her. Go Deputy will take some and money and some beating as he seems to relish all conditions and especially a route of ground. I think Last Answer is quite dangerous despite not being the same class as these. Once again he holds all the cards pace wise and he is capable of giving them the slip. He also acts well on soft ground whereas Jambalaya doesnt seem quite as adept on it. Sky Conqueror has to be given a chance but in all honesty he has no advantage pace wise and he is far from the best closer in this field.
1) Kastoria 2) Go Deputy 3) Last Answer