Desert Encounter ($5) overcame a slow start to annex the G1 Canadian International for the second year in a row under Andrea Atzeni. Longshot Alounak overhauled the favored pacemaker, Ziyad, late to finish second in the six-horse field. 

Over good ground, the David Simcock-trained winner from England covered the 1 1/2-mile distance in 2:28.62.