TORONTO — It's taken two years, but Nations Pride and trainer Charlie Appleby can finally defend their $750,000 Canadian International crown.

The Irish-bred horse won the 2023 International at Woodbine Racetrack. But last year's race wasn't held due to "logistical challenges" associated with cargo flights required to transport European horses to North America.

Nations Pride will top the 10-horse field Saturday in the 1 1/2-mile Grade 1 race that will be run on Woodbine's inner turf course.

The six-year-old comes in following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Dancer Stakes turf event Aug. 9 at Saratoga. Nations Pride has 11 wins from 23 career starts and posted 17 top-three finishes (second twice, third twice) for over $3.7 million in earnings.

Since capturing the International, Natio

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