Assiniboia Downs: It’s All Here coming off stakes upset into Manitoba Derby

It’s All Here, who led throughout to upset the 1 1/16-mile Harry Jeffrey on July 17, will be looking to double up when he faces eight rival 3-year-olds in Monday’s 1 1/8-mile Manitoba Derby.

The $75,000 Manitoba Derby, the richest race of the Assiniboia Downs meeting, headlines a blockbuster card that also includes the Assiniboia Oaks, R.J. Speers, and Graduation Stakes.

It’s All Here held off 1-5 favorite Stormin Monarcho when he made his stakes debut in the Harry Jeffrey.

Claimed for $10,000 at Oaklawn Park on April 12, It’s All Here had run poorly that day and was purchased privately by Jim Meyaard, a high-percentage trainer who relocated to Winnipeg this year

“He was tired, and thin, and had a few issues – his feet were killing him,” said Meyaard.

“When we got our hands on him, we had no idea what he was going to be. He needed a rest, and about 300 pounds.

“We didn’t do much with him for six weeks, and he got the 300 pounds.”

It’s All Here had finished second in his local debut, under second-level allowance terms at six furlongs on June 26, an effort which disappointed Meyaard.

“I changed a few things, and put the blinkers back on him,” he said.

The result was the front-running win in the Harry Jeffrey at 8-1, a huge number for a Meyaard starter here.

“Can he put two races together? I think he can,” said Meyaard. “He’s training like he’s going to put another race together here.”

It’s All Here will begin from post 7 in the Manitoba Derby, with Tyrone Nelson replacing the injured Chris Husbands in the irons.

Stormin Monarcho, trained by Joel Berndt, had shipped up from Canterbury Park to win the six-furlong Golden Boy on June 5, but his wide rally fell short when he returned for the Harry Jeffrey.

Adrian Ramos retains the mount on Stormin Monarcho, who should appreciate the extra yardage of the Manitoba Derby and is a decided threat to make amends.

Stormin Monarcho will begin from post 5.

Assembly Hall, based in Minnesota with trainer Bryan Porter, won his maiden over a mile and 70 yards of sloppy going and came back to close well in a fourth-place finish over the same distance of turf.

Alex Canchari will be in for the mount on Assembly Hall, who drew post 6.

Rounding out the field of nine, in post position order, will be El Cadete, Claypool, Lewiston, Have It My Way, Omission, and Jon Q.

Winner of the 5 1/2-furlong Graduation Stakes last year, Jon Q was beaten a head as the runner-up under first level allowance terms at 7 1/2 furlongs on July 10.

Smart Promotion, the winner there, came back to record his third win in as many career starts by upsetting the 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum at Northlands Park.

Jon Q, however, was beaten 9 1/4 lengths when third in the Harry Jeffrey.