TORONTO (AP) - Joshua Tree lost a shoe, and that was it.

The Irish-bred 3-year-old took the lead down the stretch Saturday, then held on to win the $2-million Pattison Canadian International thoroughbred race in a three-horse photo finish.

Joshua Tree, the 9/2 second choice, sat off the pace for most of the race before overtaking Fifty Proof down the stretch for the lead. As jockey Colm O'Donoghue guided his mount home, British horses Mores Wells and Redwood, the 2-1 favorite, both made late charges.

But Joshua Tree, named after famed Irish rock band U2's Grammy-winning album, held on for the $1.2-million winner's prize. Joshua Tree, running just his third race of the season and sixth of his career, finished the 1 1/2 miles on good turf in 2:08.34 at Woodbine Racetrack.

The close finish in Canada's richest horse race wasn't the only drama for Joshua Tree, who lost a shoe before the competition, leading to a six-minute delay for the post time.

``We were scared for a few moments before the race in the paddock,'' said Bernie Ryan, the agent for co-owner Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Attyah. ``On a day like today you want everything to go perfect and smoothly and he didn't get into the (post) parade.

``But it was all OK.''

O'Donoghue downplayed the significance of the pre-race flap.

``These things happen,'' he said. ``Obviously there's a big buildup towards the race, horses are fresh and well and excitable and there's a big crowd for the occasion.

``The horse is a professional, he does things right. It's just one of those things that unfortunately happens. Obviously he was prepared for today, he was trained perfectly for this race. He was the right horse for this race.''

Mores Wells, a 20-1 long shot, was second with Redwood taking third in the nine-horse field.

Also, British horse Reggane, a 10-1 pick, claimed the $1 million Grade 1 E.P. Taylor 1 1/4-mile turf race for fillies and mares in 2:03.38. Irish-bred Miss Keller was second.

Irish filly Serious Attitude, a 23-1 long shot, won the $500,000 Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes turf race for 3-year-olds and up in 1:09.37. Grand Adventure, the 9-2 second choice, was second.

The winners of the three races clinched berths into their respective Breeders' Cup contests Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Joshua Tree registered his third career win and boosted his earnings past $1.4 million. The son of Montjeu has finished in the money in five of his six starts (three wins, one second, one third).

Joshua Tree paid $11.20, $6.90 and $4.30 while Mores Wells returned $15.10 and $7.60. Redwood paid $2.50.