Diodoro has top two choices in Manitoba Derby
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Trainer Robertino Diodoro will be holding a strong hand in Monday’s $125,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia, when he runs Heroic Move and B Minor in the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds.
Heroic Move, the even-money favorite under Rico Walcott, is a standout on Beyer Speed Figures in the 10-horse field. In his final start for trainer Brad Cox on June 3, the son of Quality Road received a 90 Beyer when third in a first-level allowance with a $100,000 claiming option at Churchill Downs.
In his debut for Diodoro in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows, Heroic Move saved ground in a stalking position and then awaited room on the far turn before rallying outside on his left lead to finish a close third with a 95 Beyer.
Woodbine-based Walcott said he’s excited to be riding Heroic Move from post 1 in the 75th running of the Manitoba Derby.
“I’m happy whenever I ride for Tino,” Walcott said. “He’s done good for me. He’s taken me around the world. I’m always happy to travel with him.”
B Minor, the 4-1 second choice, has finished either third or fourth against some formidable opposition in all four of his races this year in allowance/optional-claiming company in Arkansas and Kentucky. Perhaps his best performance was a third behind Tumbarumba and the Travers-bound Scotland in an April 23 allowance at Keeneland, when he earned an 85 Beyer.
B Minor also got an 85 Beyer last time out at Churchill when fourth behind victorious Bo Cruz, who subsequently ran third in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Ellis before finishing eighth as the Iowa Derby favorite.
Jorge Carreno, the meet’s second-leading rider, will break B Minor from post 5.
The two Diodoro runners are owned by the partnership of Rick, Clayton, and Lana Wiest, Arnold Bennewith, Randy Howg, R6 Stables, Gary Kropp, and Norman Tremblay.
Tshiebwe (6-1) graduated by seven lengths in his fifth try for trainer Todd Pletcher on June 10 in a seven-furlong sprint for $100,000 maidens at Ellis Park. The son of Race Day has since changed trainers to Craig Smith, who has solid numbers with new acquisitions.
Saxon Saga, Green Amazon, Rough Customer, and Chicago’s Gray swept the top four positions in the July 17 Derby Trial at Assiniboia.
Saxon Saga put away the other speed in the one-mile Derby Trial en route to a two-length tally with a 63 Beyer. He was previously second behind Chicago’s Gray in back-to-back Assiniboia stakes, including the six-furlong Golden Boy.
Chicago’s Gray got hung out very wide on the first turn in the Trial before contesting the pace and then fading to finish 12 1/4 lengths in arrears as the 2-5 favorite.
Rounding out the field are Neighbor, Rough Customer, Discovery Peak, and Mano Dura.
Post time for the excellent seven-race program is 7:30 p.m. Central. The Manitoba Derby goes as the nightcap at 10:05 p.m. There are also a pair of $50,000 stakes on the card, the Escape Clause and Manitoba Mile.
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