English Channel's Interpol Triumphs in the Northern Dancer

Runner-up as a maiden to Ami's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday) in last year's Breeders' S. over this course and trip, Interpol was a trip-and-track maiden winner Sept. 20 before kicking off 2015 with an allowance tally going a mile at Gulfstream Mar. 28. An allowance fourth over this course May 22, he bounced back with a second-level score June 21, but could do no better than a midpack fifth in the GII Nijinsky S. July 19. Friendless in the market for the Aug. 16 Sky Classic S. over a more comfortable 10 furlongs, the bay raced relatively handy to the pace and outslugged his rivals late for a neck victory, earning a career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

There appeared to be a dearth of early speed in the Northern Dancer, and Emma-Jayne Wilson took full advantage put Interpol right into the race to sit just off the flank of this year's Breeders' winner Danish Dynaformer (Dynaformer) and the two of them backed the pace down to a crawl, covering the opening half-mile in a methodical :52.28 and had half the journey covered in 1:17.90. Triple Threat enjoyed the best trip, albeit over ground easier than he likes, while Habibi–who had beaten the boys four times at home, including the 2013 G1 New Zealand Derby–lingered at the back of the back after opting for this spot over the Canadian S. Danish Dynaformer and Interpol still had things very much their own way and they turned the field into the daunting Woodbine stretch, but the sophomore began to struggle and Interpol was in front at the quarter pole. Staying on doggedly, the bay kept finding inside the final furlong and last over Habibi, who weaved her way from the back of the pack to miss narrowly. Triple Threat just held off GIII American St. Leger hero Lucky Speed (Ire) (Silvano {Ger}) for third.

“I was [comfortable with my position throughout the race],” said Wilson. “[Trainer] Sid [Attard] said earlier this morning with us going a mile and a half we would probably be sitting a little closer. I wasn't sure about the pace make-up. I was happy if I was going to lead him along. I knew as we turned for home if I could get a head in front like last time he'd be real tough. Very few horses can keep their head in front for the entire length of the stretch, but he seems to enjoy it and wants to be there so I just let him run his race.”

With the victory, Interpol earns a spot in the field for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, a race won by his sire over similarly wet ground at Monmouth in 2007. His dam, winner of the 1998 Edgewood S. and runner-up in that year's GI Del Mar Oaks. Adel is a half-sister to fellow Paulson-bred Del Mar Show (Theatrical {Ire}), who won the GIII Connaught Cup at Woodbine, one of his five graded successes.

Sunday, Woodbine
NORTHERN DANCER TURF S. PRESENTED BY HPIBET-GI, C$339,400, WO, 9-13, 3yo/up, 1 1/2mT, 2:33.56, yl.
1–&INTERPOL, 123, c, 4, by English Channel
1st Dam: Adel (SW & GISP, $204,336), by Strawberry Road (Aus)
2nd Dam: Prankstress, by Foolish Pleasure
3rd Dam: Bowstring, by Torsion
($90,000 Ylg '12 FTKOCT). O-JMJ Racing Stables
LLC; B-Richard L. Lister (ON); T-Sid C. Attard;
J-Emma-Jayne Wilson. C$216,000. Lifetime Record:
13-5-2-0, $493,522. *1/2 to Forestry Type
(Forestry), SW, $187,492. Werk Nick Rating: B+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
[bullet ad=”ontario-bred”][bullet ad=”carabloodstock-graduate”]
2–Habibi (NZ), 116, m, 6, Ekraar–Danny Holiday (Nz),
by Danasinga (Aus). O-Augustin Stable; B-Mrs H J &
P J Crofskey (NZ); T-Mark R. Frostad. C$60,000.
[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]
3–Triple Threat (Fr), 123, h, 5, Monsun (Ger)–Drei, by
Lyphard. (0gns RNA Wlg '10 TATFOA). O/B-Team
Valor International & Gary Barber (FR); T-William I.
Mott. C$30,000.
[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]
Margins: HF, 3 1/4, HD. Odds: 10.30, 17.05, 5.25.
Also Ran: Lucky Speed (Ire), Oil Strike, Danish Dynaformer, Ami's Holiday, Aldous Snow, Glenard (GB).
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.