Assiniboia Downs: Megatron Ruler is clear favorite in Osiris Stakes

Megatron Ruler, coming off a front-running win in the 5 1/2-furlong Graduation Stakes at Assiniboia Downs, looms as the horse to beat Wednesday evening in the six-furlong Osiris Stakes at Assiniboia Downs.

The $30,000 Osiris has attracted a field of six 2-year-olds.

Megatron Ruler, a Kentucky-bred who races for T G Stable and is trained by Aaron Sayler, set the pace but was beaten a neck by a surging Maddie’s Gold when debuting at 4 1/2 furlongs June 29. Returning at the same distance 11 days later, Megatron Ruler scored by four lengths in front-running fashion, and he used that same style to wire the Graduation on Aug. 5.

Adrian Ramos retains the mount on Megatron Ruler, who will begin from the No. 1 post.

Maddie’s Gold made his second start in the Graduation, where he broke awkwardly and raced wide, but he was closing well to be beaten 1 3/4 lengths as the runner-up to Megatron Ruler.

An Oregon-homebred who races for Hurliman Enterprises LLC, Maddie’s Gold can give Megatron Ruler all he can handle as he begins from post 3 with Chris Husbands back in the irons.

The unknown quantity here is Tuff Grit, who was a 16 3/4-length winner of a 5 1/2-furlong restricted stakes in North Dakota in his only start. While these rivals will be considerably tougher for him, there is no telling how much Tuff Grit may have had in the tank. He will have Jennifer Reid in the irons for trainer Wayne Slater.

Storm Chance, a winner first out at five furlongs, came back to finish fifth, beaten 9 1/2 lengths, in the Graduation.

Rounding out the field are Wouf de Douf, coming off a restricted maiden win at five furlongs, and Dr. Zing, a maiden after two outings.

◗ Adolfo Morales rode the first three winners here last Saturday, including C.C. Ride in the $28,500 Agassiz Stakes and Golden Stripe in the $30,000 Distaff. The triple put Morales atop the riders’ standings with 54 wins, one more than Paul Nolan, with five weeks left in the meeting.

◗ Ardell Sayler tops the trainers’ standings with 39 wins, 11 more than second-place Shelley Brown.