Assiniboia Downs: Maddies's Gold, Megatron Ruler square off in Winnipeg Futurity

It will be Round 4 of Maddie’s Gold versus Megatron Ruler in the $50,000 Winnipeg Futurity at Assiniboia Downs on Saturday.

The Winnipeg Futurity, which goes at six furlongs, attracted a field of six and will go as the third of eight races on the program.

Maddie’s Gold drew first blood in the heated rivalry, running down the speed of Megatron Ruler to score by a neck when both were debuting at 4 1/2 furlongs on June 29.

Megatron Ruler returned 11 days later to graduate convincingly over five furlongs, setting the stage for a rematch between the two geldings in the 5 1/2-furlong Graduation on Aug. 5.

Maddie’s Gold was compromised by a poor start that day and rallied wide to finish second behind Megatron Ruler, who led throughout to score by 1 3/4 lengths.

But the tables were turned last time out as Maddie’s Gold stalked the pace and came on to win by a length over a game Megatron Ruler in the six-furlong Osiris.

Chris Husbands, who has guided Maddie’s Ruler to his two wins, returns in the irons for trainer Roland Ferguson, while Adrian Ramos has his usual call on Megatron Ruler.

Maddie’s Gold will begin from post 4, just inside Megatron Ruler. All entrants carry 122 pounds.

Finishline Fever, shipping in from Canterbury Park, is a threat to spoil the party for the locals.

Trained by Clay Brinson, the Kentucky-bred Finishline Fever finished an indifferent sixth in his debut July 28 but then came to life when returning two weeks later and scoring by a head, with both of those outings coming at five furlongs.

Adolfo Morales has the call for the gelding’s local debut, and the pair will break from the outside post.

Rounding out the field will be Zdeno, perfect in two starts to date in restricted company; For Old Times Sake, victorious in his only appearance; and Storm Chance, who was beaten 5 3/4 lengths as the third-place finisher in the Osiris.

Zdeno, trained by Chad Torevell, captured a five-furlong maiden dash and doubled up in the six-furlong CTHS Sales Stakes.