Blade Ae, Play Taps seek three in a row

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Three of the six entrants in Friday's featured sixth race at Assiniboia for $8,000 claimers at six furlongs were claimed in their last starts.

Known Land was claimed by trainer Darrell Hartley from Darla Singh for $6,250. Cool Striker was also claimed for $6,250 and moves from Wendy Anderson to Jack Robertson, while Special Warrant was claimed from Dennis Harrisko for $5,000 by Blair Miller.

Meanwhile, Blade Ae and Play Taps both will be trying for their third consecutive wins.

Play Taps and Special Warrant, who will break from the outside under Anderson Ward, should battle for the early lead. Play Taps will break just inside Special Warrant under Navin Mangalee, his third different rider in as many starts this season.

Cool Striker, Blade Ae, and Shingen Knight should take up stalking trips, with Known Land trailing the field early.

Blade Ae, trained by Ron Gray, was a half-length better than Special Warrant in winning his last start. He will begin from post 3 with Juan Crawford.

Jacques DesAutels will ride Known Land, who breaks from the inside after finishing third behind Play Taps in his latest.

Manuel Alicea will ride Shingen Knight,starting from post 4, while Cool Striker begins from post 2 with Ken Hendricks.

* Saturday, Tucky's Girl won the Debutante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies over Angels R Watching and Private Navy. For Tucky's Girl, owned and trained by Danny Bird, it was her second win from eight starts this year and increased her earnings to $34,053. Ridden by Manuel Alicea, Tucky's Girl finished the 5 1/2 furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:07.80 and returned $9.40.

* Last Friday, apprentice Larren Delorme won his first race aboard Laff Atak ($23.20).