European invader Hawkbill is the early 1/2 favorite for the Grade 1, $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes, which is up next at Woodbine.

Hawkbill will make his North American debut in the Northern Dancer and comes into the race off of a second-place finish in a Group 1 event at Hoppegarten in Germany. The winner of that race came back to win a Group 2 event at Chantilly in France last weekend. Hawkbill certainly stands out in this field and could be the second short priced winner of a graded stakes race at Woodbine today.

A logical alternative is Messi, who is the 3-1 second choice for trainer Graham Motion. Motion was a winner on the card already today with Quidura in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes. Messi has experience over this turf course having won the Grade 2 Sky Classic Stakes last season.

Another alternative if you're looking to beat the favorite is Noble Thought, who ran well in defeat in the Grade 2 Sky Classic over 1 3/8-miles on this turf course on Aug. 20. Noble Thought earned a 97 Beyer on that day, which matches up well with Messi's current form. Noble Thought is currently 10-1 in the wagering.