Beauzak at his peak for Old Dutch 'Cap

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Beauzak's allowance score here Aug. 6 has propelled the 5-year-old gelding to the role of logical choice in Saturday's $6,000 Old Dutch Handicap at Marquis Downs. The Old Dutch, run at 1 1/16 miles, has drawn a competitive field of seven older horses, including former Saskatchewan horses of the year Double Time and Rouge Royale.

Beauzak has run just four times in 2005, and in his second start finished a head short of Double Times going seven furlongs. Beauzak then finished seventh as one of the favorites in the one-mile Fred Mendel. But in the one-mile allowance prep for the Old Dutch, Beauzak closed some eight lengths and passed six others to register his first win of the year.

Double Time has two wins on the year and is always a threat to steal the race on the lead, although he can stalk the pace as well. With Bullinsky in the race, Double Time will almost certainly stalk the lead.

Bullinksy won twice going short against allowance horses to kick off his meet, defeating Double Time both times. Bullinsky tried tougher at Assiniboia Downs with no success and returned here to finish third in the Mendel and fourth when facing Beauzak last time out.

Rouge Royale ran a huge race when finishing second in the Mendel but was never dangerous when finishing seventh to Beauzak last time out. Now 10 years old, Rouge Royale is still a force on his best day. The distance will suit him, and a wet track would improve his chances.

Max Factor was an even fourth in the Mendel and has done most of his running at Assiniboia Downs versus mid-priced claimers. He beat $8,000 claimers there going a mile.