Bushrod invades for ATBA Fall Sales Stakes
PHOENIX – Bushrod invades Turf Paradise from Canterbury Park off a third-place finish in a stakes race and is the one to beat in the males’ division of the $35,000 ATBA Fall Sales Stakes on Sunday, while recent impressive maiden winner Heidi’s in Charge tops the fillies’ division. The two events for 2-year-olds who were cataloged in last year’s ATBA fall sale are carded at six furlongs. The males’ division (race 8) drew 11, and the fillies’ division (race 6) attracted eight.
Bushrod, owned and trained by Doug Oliver, easily won his debut June 7 at Canterbury Park. He then ran third in the Shakopee Juvenile there Sept. 12.
His main opposition on Sunday could come from Ez Deluxe, the winner of the ATBA Spring Sales Stakes here May 5, and the maiden Mak’n a Kowboy, who was second here Oct. 19 in his only start.
Heidi’s in Charge, owned by Mark Breen and trained by Dan McFarlane, put it all together here Oct. 18, drawing off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over maidens. Lieutenant Margie and Sugar Pine Point finished second and third behind Heidi’s in Charge and are lined up against her again.
KEY CONTENDERS
ATBA SALES (MaLES’ division)
Bushrod (Beyers: 46-73)
◗ His 73 Beyer Speed Figure for his debut win is easily the top figure in the field.
◗ Used his speed to win his debut wire-to-wire, then rallied for third in the Shakopee Juvenile, so he’s shown versatility.
◗ Has been working steadily over this track.
Ez Deluxe (Last 3 Beyers: 25-39-33)
◗ He is proven here, having won the ATBA Spring Sales Stakes.
◗ Looks ready to go off a four-furlong work here in 47.80.
Mak’n a Kowboy (Beyer: 62)
◗ Stalked the pace from the rail, moved out for room, and finished gamely to be beaten a neck in his debut.
◗ His sire, Cowboy Cal, was a multiple Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed.
ATBA SALES (fillIES’ division)
Heidi’s in Charge (Last 3 Beyers: 55-0-33)
◗ Ran on for fourth in the ATBA Spring Sales fillies’ division here May 5.
◗ She is by Ez Dreamer, a multiple stakes winner here.
◗ Owns the best Beyer (55) in the field.
Lieutenant Margie (Beyer: 48)
◗ Dueled on the lead with Heidi’s in Charge before tiring.
◗ Trained by Kevin Eikleberry, who has won twice with his last eight second-time starters.
Sugar Pine Point (Last 3 Beyers: 46-2-10)
◗ Failed to show much speed in her first two starts, including running eighth in the ATBA Spring Sales here May 5. But she returned here Oct. 18 with blinkers added and showed much more speed to duel with Heidi’s in Charge to the top of the lane before weakening.