Some overnight rain at Woodbine. The turf (GS 9.9) is labeled good, which isn't near the soft ground that most of the European invaders were looking for in today's major turf stakes. The forecast for the afternoon is partly cloudy and cool, with a west wind. The Tapeta was on the slow side for morning works before the break.

Canadian International favorite Thundering Blue can handle any type of ground. He'll be tough to beat if he duplicates his third behind Roaring Lion and Poet's Word in the G1 Juddmonte International at York, where he won a G2 in July. With lane 1 being used, his draw in post 2 is ideal, because the inside two paths haven't been used since Sept. 16.

From post 4 under John Velazquez, Funtastic could outrun the other speed horse, Tiz a Slam, for the lead, and could take this field a long way, at a nice price. G1 Northern Dancer winner Johnny Bear cannot be counted out, unless the turf is too giving for him, which was the case when he came up empty in last year's International. The German runner Khan prefers a bog.

The G1 E.P. Taylor goes just after the International, as race 10. Santa Monica is the one to fear most, mainly because of her impressive score here in the G2 Dance Smartly at the same 10-furlong distance June 30. Trainer Chad Brown is sending out two other contenders, Elysea's World, and Pollara, a G3 winner in France who's adding Lasix off a layoff. The English filly Sheikha Reika recently won a listed stakes on good-to-firm. Proctor's Ledge has been saddled with post 9, but it wouldn't be surprising to see her hit the ticket.

Lady Alexandra was cross-entered at Belmont, but is running here against the boys in the G2 Nearctic (race 7). She just missed taking the G1 Highlander here June 30. Hemp Hemp Hurray has been working well, and could make some noise as a longshot after starting from post 1 in the six-furlong turf tilt. The speedy Yorkton wants firm turf, as does Holding Gold. Kitten's Cat drew well in post 2 under leading rider Eurico Da Silva. He recently won a key N2X/optional claimer.

The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover is $65K for the 11th and final race, a wide open $10K NW2 route for distaffers.

There's a $100K guaranteed late Pick 5, starting on race seven. The $200K guaranteed late Pick 4 starts on the eighth.

Narrow Escape and Pawnbroker are out of the sixth.

The changes can be found at http://pro.drf.com/entries