'Cindy' in fine form

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Cindy Embers looks for her second restricted stakes win this year in Monday's $40,000 Distaff here at Assiniboia Downs. The Distaff, a one-mile race for Manitoba-bred fillies and mares, attracted a field of nine.

Claimed for $9,375 by trainer Blair Miller for the Pain in the Aces Stable in her first start of the year, Cindy Ember won her maiden in the restricted R.C. Anderson Stakes three start ago. A 3-year-old daughter of Incinderator, Cindy Embers followed up that race with a win over first-level allowance foes.

In her most recent effort, Cindy Embers finished a close second behind stakes winner Aly's Flyer in the allowance prep for the Assiniboia Oaks.

Another contender in the Oaks is Stately Manor, who was claimed by the same connections as Cindy Embers for $6,250 earlier this season. A 5-year-old daughter of Regal Remark, Stately Manor has raced three times since then with a second-place finish against $10,000 claimers her best result.

Jazzy Express was claimed by the J Bar Stable and trainer Harry Kube for $6,250 in early June. She won her first start for her new connections over conditioned claimers but has failed to hit the board since.

Buck a Shot was claimed from trainer Martin Drexler for $10,000 in her first start of the year, and Drexler claimed her back for $4,000 in her most recent start on Aug. 16. Buck a Shot has failed to win this year, with her best result a third-place finish against $6,250 claimers two starts ago.

Danger Pay has run two poor races since finishing second behind Cindy Embers in the R.C. Anderson, while Tamorons Blade, who won the Distaff last year, has been off form for most of 2005.

The field rounds out with Sampo's Fool, Gold With Honor, and Thunder Sky.

* Missing Fortune appears to the one to beat in Monday's supporting feature, the $40,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

Missing Fortune won the restricted Frank Arnason Sire Stakes two races back before finishing second in the restricted North Dakota Stallion Stakes in his last start Aug. 21. Also entered are King Atholton, Simply Marvis, Miss Doubletrouble, Dream Extreme, Canadian Idol, and Hezontheprowl.

This year's Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society yearling sale will take place Tuesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Assiniboia Downs grandstand.