Dandy Dora has look of a good one

EDMONTON, Alberta Dandy Dora, a visually impressive winner on Aug. 1, figures to be heavily bet in a field of seven juvenile fillies in the $50,000 Freedom of the City at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Dandy Dora was a $45,000 purchase by trainer Greg Tracy on behalf of major client Stan Ryan at the 2007 Washington yearling sale. Dandy Dora was never challenged in the Bird of Pay while setting the type of fractions more associated with experienced older runners. She drew off under a snug hold by Rickey Walcott to best runner-up Curls and Pearls by 9 1/4 lengths, a margin that could have been much larger had Walcott applied any pressure in the lane. Dandy Dora earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure, getting the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.80.

All entrants in the Freedom of the City carry 117 pounds at a mile.

Curls and Pearls, well clear in second last out, returns for another shot, and her rider Real Simard must hope that the additional three-sixteenth will be in favor of his late-closing mount.

Tuckasegee posted a very impressive maiden victory on Aug. 15, running 5 1/2 furlongs in a crisp 1:05.80, and is the most probable candidate to give Dandy Dora a run for her money in the early stages.

* Danny Dions Bear Stable bought the $57,000 sales topper at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Societys annual yearling sale here last Sunday. A total of 131 yearlings sold for $1,221,750, an average of $9,326. Last year, 112 yearlings sold for $1,233,800, an $11,016 average.