Assiniboia: Tannat tops Sifton Stakes

Tannat, sharp winner of a classified allowance race for Manitoba-breds last time out, will be well-backed to repeat in Saturday’s J.W. Sifton at Assiniboia Downs.

The J.W. Sifton, a 1 1/8-mile race for Manitoba-bred 3-year-olds, offers a purse of $50,000 and attracted a field of seven.

Tannat will be stretching back out off that win at 7 1/2 furlongs but should have no difficulty with the distance.

Trained by Carl Anderson, Tannat finished fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Manitoba Derby and then followed up with another fourth against older Manitoba-breds in the one-mile Agassiz.

David Lopez retains the mount on Tannat.

Sir J Windsor, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Tannat as the runner-up in that 7 1/2-furlong allowance, will be looking to turn the tables under regular rider Juan Crawford.

Conditioned by Harry Kube, Sir J Windsor ended two lengths behind Tannat when sixth in the Agassiz and romped in the restricted Gold Strike at one mile back in July.

The dark horse in the Agassiz is C.C. Ride, who has been racing with trainer Stuart Simon at Woodbine.

Although still a maiden after eight starts, C.C. Ride could fit here class-wise and Woodbine regular Gerry Olguin is slated to come out for the mount.

Rounding out the field will be Fabulous Gold, Northern Gold, Today’s Star, and Going for a Few.

All starters will carry 124 pounds.

* There will be no racing this Wednesday and the 2011 meeting will wind up with cards this coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.