Assiniboia Downs: Stormin Monarcho invades for Golden Boy

Stormin Monarcho, invading from Canterbury Park, could be the horse to beat in Wednesday’s evening’s Golden Boy at Assiniboia Downs.

The $30,000 Golden Boy, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, is the first stakes race of the Assiniboia meeting.

Stormin Monarcho, trained by Joel Berndt, finished third in last September’s Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity at one mile but was a nonthreatening 12th of 14 in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby over 1 1/8 miles at Hawthorne last time out.

While shortening up dramatically here, Stormin Monarcho did graduate over 4 1/2 furlongs in his debut at Arlington and ran second at six furlongs at Hawthorne last October.

Adrian Ramos, a newcomer to Assiniboia Downs this year, has the mount on Stormin Monarcho.

Also shipping in from Minnesota is Royal Mocha, who is coming off a third-place finish in a first-level, six-furlong allowance race.

Jake Olesiak rides Royal Mocha for trainer Charlie Smith, who has struck with successful shippers to Winnipeg on numerous occasions.

Zaccheus and Jon Q, 1-2 while competing under first-level allowance terms at 5 1/2 furlongs last time out, are among a solid local contingent.

Ardell Sayler claimed Zaccheus for $40,000 at Oaklawn Park this April and has sent out the gelding to win his two starts at this meeting. Paul Nolan retains the mount.

Jon Q was beaten just a neck by Zaccheus when he made his seasonal debut and is eligible to turn the tables for trainer Carl Anderson and jockey Chris Husbands.

Jon Q won the 5 1/2-furlong Graduation and finished third in both the six-furlong Osiris and six-furlong Winnipeg Futurity in his first campaign.

Da Hoot is the other stakes winner in the lineup, having captured the Osiris for Ardell Saylor last August. Arturo Morales has the mount.

Have It My Way, a $20,000 claim at Hawthorne this April, also is 2 for 2 locally, with victories under first-level allowance terms at five furlongs and in the 5 1/2-furlong Golden Boy prep.

Tyrone Nelson retains the mount on Have It My Way for trainer Murray Duncan.