Corporate Shuffle out to rebound

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Corporate Shuffle will try to reassert his dominance over the local 3-year-olds in Sunday's Harry Jeffreys Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile race worth $27,500.

Trained by Darla Singh, Corporate Shuffle last raced in the Manitoba Derby on Aug. 6, finishing a distant third behind Stage Classic and Fancy As. The defeat was the first for Corporate Shuffle in eight starts at Assiniboia Downs.

The likely pacesetter, Corporate Shuffle may need a slow pace to get the distance of the Jeffreys. He will be ridden by regular rider Rohan Singh.

Also coming out of the 1 1/8-mile Manitoba Derby are Command Start and G and L Special.

Command Start finished fourth, a neck behind Corporate Shuffle, and may be able to get by him with an improved effort Sunday. Alan Cuthbertson will ride Command Start for trainer Patti Ross.

G and L Special didn't put his best foot forward in the Derby, trailing the field the entire race. Two starts back he finished a closing second behind Corporate Shuffle in the Derby Trial. and a repeat of that effort may lead to an upset.

Northern Cheyenne enters this race off victories in the restricted North Dakota Derby and North Dakota Stallion Stakes. Gary Melanson picks up the mount, as Ruben Solis, who was aboard for both stakes victories, has opted to ride That's My Friend, a winner in two of his three lifetime starts.

Rounding out the field will be Flying Commander, a winner over maiden claimers in his last race; Prize of Texas, likely to be closest to Corporate Shuffle early; and the maiden Exclusive Sailor.

Holiday weekend shaping up

Halo Alo, winner of the North Dakota Stallion Stakes, heads the list of six nominees for next Sunday's $26,000 North Dakota Futurity. The six-furlong race is 2-year-olds eligible through the North Dakota Thoroughbred Association.

Nominations also closed Thursday for the Distaff and Agassiz. Both are for Manitoba-bred 3-year-olds and upward and go at one mile for purses of $27,500 here Monday, Sept. 3. Dawn of Forever tops the list of 12 fillies and mares nominated to the Distaff, while Gus Again head the list of eight colts and geldings for Agassiz.