Northlands: Tracy has stranglehold on Two Year Old Sales Stakes

Trainer Greg Tracy likes his chances in both divisions of the Two Year Old Sales Stakes at Northlands Park Saturday.

The colts and geldings division drew seven horses and goes as the seventh race with Tracy saddling the probable favorite, Leprechaun Kid. The Tracy-trained Tell Me Lies looks like the one to beat in the four-horse fillies division, which will go as the first race. Both races are at 6 1/2 furlongs and worth $50,000.

Leprechaun Kid showed good speed in his debut when he finished second in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Northlands on July 18, but he looked pretty green when he came back to finish second as the odds-on favorite in his second start. He broke sharply but there was speed to his inside and Kyle Carter dropped him in behind horses going into the first turn. When Carter tried to get Leprechaun Kid to settle behind the other speed he threw his head up in the air and appeared to lose interest. He eventually rallied to finish second but he veered in sharply when Carter hit him right-handed in the stretch.

“He’s a pretty nice colt with a lot to learn,” said Tracy. “He just didn’t like getting dirt in his face and started climbing when he dropped in behind the other horses.”

Rico Walcott takes over the mount.

Tracy also entered Space Academy, who lost by a nose when he debuted in a $12,000 maiden claiming race going 3 1/2 furlongs Aug. 3.

The only winner in the field is Cape Spear, who easily won a $12,500 maiden claiming race in his second start. He is trained by Joan Petrowski.

Tangent figures to make use of his good speed breaking from the rail.

◗ In the fillies division, Tracy has a 50 percent chance of winning with Tell Me Lies and Foxy Rocket.

Tell Me Lies romped by 9 1/2 lengths when she debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race for Alberta-breds June 24 and came back to finish second in the $50,000 Princess Margaret going six furlongs July 21.

Canaveral Leader looks like the main threat to Tell Me Lies. Trained by Ron Grieves, Canaveral Leader was an easy winner when she debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race for Alberta-breds July 15. She is a full sister to My Daddy’s Girl, who won the Two Year Old Sales Stakes for Tracy last year.

◗ Manitoba Derby winner Balooga Bull heads the list of 17 horses nominated to the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby, which will be contested over 1 3/8 miles next Saturday.

Trained by Ardell Sayler, Balooga Bull ran off and hid by 9 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/8-mile derby at Assimiboia Downs Aug. 6.

Devil in Disguise, trained by Dennis Terry, heads the local contingent.

Trainer Reade Baker has nominated three horses from Woodbine owned by Bear Stables Ltd: Bear’s Accountant, Bear’s Taurus, and Speyside.