Hillstar wins Canadian International
TORONTO (AP) British-bred Hillstar won the $1 million Pattison Canadian International, beating Big Blue Kitten by three-quarters of a length Sunday at Woodbine.
Hillstar, ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Michael Stoute, ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:29.0 on the turf course.
''The horse felt very relaxed, very comfortable all the way around,'' said Moore, also the winner last year aboard Joshua Tree. ''He had a big class edge over the whole field. It was just a matter being in a good spot and keeping it straight forward.''
The 4-year-old Hillstar paid $4.50, $2.80 and $2.50 for his fourth victory in 15 career starts. Big Blue Kitten returned $2.80 and $2.80, and Dynamic Sky paid $4.50 to show.
British-bred Brown Panther bolted past the starting gate before the race and kept running around the course, eventually dumping jockey Richard Kingscote, who was unhurt but banged his riding helmet against his leg in frustration.
Brown Panther is co-owned by former English soccer star Michael Owen.
''Long way to come for nothing!'' Owens tweeted. ''Thank goodness horse and jockey are both OK.''
Irish-bred Just The Judge won the Grade 1 $500,000 E.P. Taylor for fillies and mares, and British-bred Caspar Netscher took the Grade 2 $300,000 Nearctic Stakes.