Desert Encounter may target Dubai, with prior race in Asia

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer David Simcock added another Woodbine Grade 1 to his list of career achievements on Saturday when the Englishbased Desert Encounter won the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes by a length over another European invader, Thundering Blue.

Simcock has now won four graded stakes at Woodbine since 2014. The English-based trainer captured the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile with Trade Storm and the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes with Sheikhzayedroad on the same day in September 2014, and then came back to Woodbine the following month to win the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes with Casper Netscher. He also sent out Sheikhzayedroad to a thirdplace finish in the Canadian International in 2015.

While Simcock was not at Woodbine for Desert Encounter’s victory on Saturday, Philip Robinson, racing manager for owner Abdullah Al Mansoori, acknowledged Simcock had zeroed in on the Canadian International as a long-term goal for Desert Encounter early in the season.

“I think David Simcock has been here on a few occasions and loves it, and I think he’s had this race in mind for a long time for this horse,” Robinson said. “He always said this is the race for him and he set out his program for him throughout the whole season with this aim to come here, and it’s worked out, so he’s got it dead right.”

As for what’s next for Desert Encounter, Robinson said Dubai could be a primary target in early 2019, but a race in Asia before then might be possible.

“There’s no plans at the moment, but the owner will definitely want to go to Dubai for the big World Cup meeting,” he said. “He might have a run in between. Whether he goes to Hong Kong or Japan, we’re not sure yet.”

Tiz Breathtaking to stay home?

Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes winner Tiz Breathtaking will likely point to the $225,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over 1 1/16 miles for Ontario-bred 2-year-olds here on Nov. 4, but trainer Mike Doyle has not ruled out a potential trip to Churchill Downs for a start in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.

“It’s still under consideration, but staying here probably makes more sense,” he said. “We haven’t really made a decision. She’s come out of [the Mazarine] great and she might run here in the Princess Elizabeth.”

The win in the Mazarine improved Tiz Breathtaking’s season record to three wins from four starts. She followed her victory in the Shady Well Stakes on Aug. 4 with an offthe-pace rally in the Mazarine to get up by a head under leading rider Eurico Da Silva.

“She ran great,” Doyle said. “She had a lot to do turning for home. I think she was pretty lucky to get there. This next race is Ontario-bred and it’s $225,000. It probably means something.”

A win in the Princess Elizabeth would strengthen Tiz Breathtaking’s case for Canadian champion 2-year-old filly honors. Tiz Breathtaking and Grade 1 Natalma Stakes runner-up My Gal Betty are the two leaders in the division, and with My Gal Betty set to run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf the same weekend as the Princess Elizabeth, the results of both races could go a long way in determining who wins the award.

Decorated Soldier eyes Autumn

Decorated Soldier recorded his second consecutive stakes victory in the Presque Isle Mile Stakes on Sept. 16, and will make his next start in the Grade 2, $175,000 Autumn Stakes on Nov. 3 over 1 1/16 miles on Woodbine’s Tapeta, trainer Norm McKnight said.

McKnight added that following the Autumn, Decorated Soldier would be entered in the Keeneland November breeding stock sale. McKnight claimed Decorated Soldier for owner Racer’s Edge and Maxis Stable for $20,000 at Oaklawn Park in April. He’s won four of his five starts for his current connections, including the Presque Isle Mile and the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes.

“From an investment standpoint for the client, I don’t see how you can maximize the horse’s value any more than where he’s at,” McKnight said. “He’s done very well for the $20,000 investment. He’s a real nice horse, but horses don’t want to seem to last forever. He’s 5 years old, so he’s relatively young. I just think from a marketing point of view that it’s the right time, and if we don’t get the right price, he won’t be sold.”

Decorated Soldier was back on the work tab here Saturday morning in preparation for the Autumn, breezing four furlongs in 47.60 seconds on the main track. McKnight said Decorated Soldier has bounced out of his start in the Presque Isle Mile in good order and breezed well.

“He seems to be high on life right now,” McKnight said.