The domination of North America's top turf stakes by European horses continued today with a victory by Redwood (GB) in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer at Woodbine. Redwood, a horse that won the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood and finished 2nd in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville in France, waited patiently along the rail in mid-pack as pacesetters Fifty Proof and Marsh Side set moderate fractions. As the field came off the final turn, the rail opened up enough to allow Redwood to stride past the leaders with a solid late kick.
Pacesetter Fifty Proof ran a gutsy race to finish second at big odds but didn't have enough in the tank when challenged by Redwood in deep stretch.
The top North American runner in the Northern Dancer, Marsh Side, failed to threaten the winner and was well-beaten after stalking extremely moderate fractions. He's won on soft ground in previous races, including his last race in the Sky Classic, so it's doubtful that the footing was the issue.
Redwood paid $5,80, $4.10 and $2.90.