All signs point to Trebbiano

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Woodbine shipper Trebbiano is the probable favorite among eight 4-year-old Manitoba-breds in Saturday's restricted $36,000 Manitoba Maturity, and the race should set up for him.

Trebbiano won his maiden for a $40,000 tag at the 1 1/16-mile trip of the Maturity at Woodbine last June. He came back this spring and ran two decent races against $40,000 claimers before dropping to the $16,000 level and winning, again at the Maturity distance, over a sloppy track.

A proven rallier, Trebbiano would benefit from a speed duel.

The speed of the race look like Rare Deputy and Minus Three. Bashful Dancer can also go early. It's unlikely any of these three can stick around late, however, if a duel develops.

Rare Deputy has been testing tough allowance horses on the front end without success, but should be the speed of the speed in the Maturity as he takes a class drop and stretches out.

Minus Three is still a maiden. He tends to run as far as he can as fast as he can before tiring.

Bashful Dancer has been showing speed at the $12,500 claiming level and comes off a win on June 22.

Others who could take advantage of a duel scenario include Silver Greek and Beau Pip.

Silver Greek has been testing the same allowance horses as Rare Deputy, also without success, but he will love stretching out and did finish a rallying second in last year's Manitoba Derby.

Beau Pip is another who has been facing allowance types without success. Last year, he rallied to win a pair of restricted route stakes, the J.W. Sifton and the Manitoba.

Rounding out the field are longshots Creative Energy and Goin N Style.