Interpol and Habibi finised first and second in the Northern Dancer but face new challengers in the Canadian International. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

While Toronto sports fans will be rallying around their Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series on Friday and Saturday, on Sunday their focus will turn to the $1-million Pattison Canadian International Stakes, where Woodbine Racetrack will play host to the 78^th edition of the historic race.

Eleven horses were entered to compete in the Pattison Canadian International, complete with a solid mix of runners from both the United States and Canada, as well as three entrants (Cannock Chase, Sheikhzayedroad, and Second Step) who most recently raced in Europe.     

The Pattison Canadian International appears “wide open” on paper, with most horses in the race owning a least a slight chance of coming out a winner. Below are some of the horses I think have the best chance to capture the Canadian International on Sunday: 

#2 Cannock Chase: This colt is one of the European invaders in the Pattison Canadian International.  Cannock Chase has performed well on a consistent basis so far in his career, where he has finished first or second in seven of his nine lifetime races. Most recently, Cannock Chase won the Sakhee Godolphin Stakes in Great Britain, and I think he is ready for another top performance on Sunday. 

#4 Second Step: Similar to Cannock Chase, Second Step is another horse entered in the Canadian International who will be traveling from Europe for this race. On Aug. 9, Second Step won the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in Germany, which cemented his status among the upper echelon of runners across the Atlantic. Although he finished fourth in his most recent race in Ireland on Sept. 13, I think Second Step can bounce back and run a big race in the Canadian International.

#9 Interpol: This colt most recently won the Grade I Northern Dancer Stakes at Woodbine, and by doing so Interpol confirmed his ability to be an extremely good turf horse at “marathon” distances. So far in his career, Interpol has already won four races over the Woodbine turf course, which is more than any other horse entered in the 2015 Pattison Canadian International. I expect Interpol to be near the front of the pack early in the Canadian International on Sunday, which I believe will be to his and jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson’s advantage. 

#11 Habibi: After beginning her career in Australia and New Zealand, Habibi has found a new home racing in Toronto for legendary Canadian trainer Mark Frostad (Frostad won the 1997 Canadian International with Chief Bearhart). Most recently, Habibi was beaten a half-length by Interpol (see above) in the Northern Dancer Stakes, which may have been her best race to date in North America.  With added improvement, and with a skillful ride from jockey Robby Albarado, I think Habibi can be a major factor in the Canadian International.

Betting strategy A:
$20 win 2 

Betting strategy B: 
$1 exacta box 2,4,9,11 ($12)
$1 exacta 2 with 4,9,11 ($3)
$1 exacta 4 with 2,9,11 ($3)
$1 exacta box 2,4 ($2)

$1-million Canadian International Stakes
Sunday, Woodbine Racetrack, Race 9, 5:42 p.m. ET
1 1/2 miles, turf, 3-year-olds and older