Brazen Son set to win another

EDMONTON, Alberta - The undefeated Brazen Son appears well-situated to win his second stakes when he takes on six other juvenile colts and geldings at Northlands Park in Sunday's $50,000 Birdcatcher Stakes.

An Alberta-bred by Stormin Fever, Brazen Son made his debut in a maiden special race here June 29. In that 3 1/2-furlong affair, Brazen Son had little trouble grabbing the lead from post 8, which is usually a killer given the brief run to the first turn, and was seven lengths ahead at the top of the stretch before cruising to a 3 1/4-length victory.

Next, in the $50,000 Edmonton Juvenile, Brazen Son drew post 1. While briefly headed early on, Brazen Son maintained his position on the rail and once again coasted home after being well in front at the top of the stretch.

The second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers from the Juvenile have not returned to engage Brazen Son, who is ridden by Stephan Heiler and trained by Greg Tracy. Little Davey, who was fifth, 8 1/2 lengths back of Brazen Son in the Juvenile, is back for the Birdcatcher.

One interesting new opponent is a maiden, Mr Muffin Man. A $65,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale, Mr Muffin Man gets Lasix for the first time and has the services of leading rider Rickey Walcott.

The Sunday card also features the return of Fancy As, the former Alberta champion and third-place finisher in the 2002 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita. Owner-trainer Red Smith reports that the 9-year-old gelding has grown restless in retirement. Fancy As won his most recent start, which came April 17, 2005 at Stampede Park.