Best races early on the card

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Devil's Fantasy will make her local debut for trainer Emile Corbel in Friday's second race, a six-furlong conditioned allowance for fillies and mares that starts off the early pick three at Assiniboia Downs.

In her last start on May 11, Devil's Fantasy ran second in a claiming race at Churchill Downs. Tim Gardiner will be aboard Devil's Fantasy, who breaks from post 7.

Devil's Fantasy's biggest challenges should come from Tunnangannya and Itsacolddayinmay.

Second at this level in her local debut May 24, Tunnangannya will be ridden by Jacques DesAutels and starts from post 3.

Itsacolddayinmay, the likely speed of the race, won her maiden in her seasonal bow May 20 and will begin from the rail under Manuel Alicea.

Friday's third race, the first 2-year-old race of the meet, will be the debut of Fancy Bru, a half-brother to Fancy As, who was a local champion in 2000 and 2001.

The Chad Torevell-trained entry of Isle Dream and New Release probably will go as the favorite and Sowhateverittakes, trained by Ardell Sayler, also has been working well for her debut.

In the final leg of the early pick three, a six-furlong race for $10,000 claimers, Western Quitz will be looking for his second win in as many starts this year.

Western Quitz moves up a notch on the claiming ladder and should battle for the early lead with Circulating Touch and Red Sundown. Trained by Patti Ross, Western Quitz will break from the rail under Gardiner.

Red Sundown, trained by Dennis Harrisko, won at this level in his latest and will begin from post 5 with Robert Munoz aboard.

Circulating Touch finished third behind Red Sundown last time out. Alicea will ride, breaking from post 4.

* Alicea won three races last Friday and Saturday and added one win Sunday to top all jockeys. Alicea currently is third among local riders with 18 victories, behind DesAutels (21) and Rohan Singh (19).

* Jockey Melissa Wilson made a favorable first impression by winning on her initial mount here, Northern Du, last Friday. She also won with Madame Midway on Sunday.

* Emile Corbel led all trainers last weekend with three wins and is tied with Ardell Sayler atop the standings with eight wins.