Diodoro has two for wide-open Canadian Derby

There are no standouts in the 87th edition of the Grade 3, $150,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park on Saturday. Trainer Robertino Diodoro, who won the 1 3/8-mile race with Broadway Empire in 2013 and with Edison in 2014, said he likes his chances of winning it again with either Inside Straight or Solve.

Inside Straight is coming off a win in the $75,000 Manitoba Derby on Aug. 1 at Assiniboia Downs. Solve finished a nonthreatening fourth in the same race.

“I guarantee you will see a much-improved performance from Solve,” Diodoro said.

The quality of the field suffers compared to recent renewals, but it is a great betting race, and it is hard to predict which of the 12 starters who will carry 122 pounds will be favored. The winner will have to navigate four turns. Post time is 7:45 p.m. Mountain.

Inside Straight will be making his third start for Diodoro, who took over his training after he was purchased privately by Randy Howg. Prior to the barn switch, Inside Straight won a $40,000 claiming race by more than 10 lengths on a muddy track at Belmont for trainer Todd Pletcher on May 4.

In his first start for Diodoro, he finished third as the heavy favorite in the $25,000 Harry Jeffrey at Assiniboia Downs on July 9. He came from a stalking position to win the Manitoba Derby.

“He just ran a little flat in his first start for us,” Diodoro said. “He came back with a strong race in the Manitoba Derby, and he’s trained well since.”

Inside Straight drew the outside post, with Rico Walcott riding. Solve, post 11, will be ridden by Dane Nelson.

Ready Intaglio is the top local hope. In his first start for trainer Amber Meyaard, he rallied to win the $50,000 Ky Alta on June 18 and was drawing away with Shamaree Muir aboard when he beat The Accuser by 1 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum on July 16.

Meyaard works closely with her husband, Jim. They won the 2010 Canadian Derby with No Hesitation.

“He is a lot different horse than No Hesitation,” she said. “But the farther he goes, the better he gets.”

Ready Intaglio is owned by Robbin Martens. Her husband, Eurico Martens, was his trainer prior to the win in the Ky Alta.

“He had been running well for them, so I was surprised when they asked us to take him over after he finished third in the Western Canada,” Jim Meyaard said. “So far, it’s worked out nicely for everybody.”

Access This, trained by Monica Russell, was much the best when he finished a troubled second to Law Master in the $57,000 Alberta Derby at Grande Prairie on July 31. He was coming off a third-place finish in the $50,000 Coca-Cola at Emerald Downs for trainer Blaine Wright on June 5.

“There isn’t anything not to like about him,” Russell said. “Blaine sent me a horse in perfect condition, and it was a shame he got into so much trouble in Grande Prairie.”

Lord Vancouver has improved in his last three starts for trainer Phil Hall, and the 80 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for his win in the $50,000 Stellar’s Jay at Hastings on Aug. 1 is the best last-race figure in this field.

He is usually in the mix early and will need to avoid getting into a duel with Hold the Giant, who will try to take them all the way after he breaks from the rail with Gerry Olguin riding.

“He can rate, and I think he’ll get the distance,” Hall said.

Nobody will be surprised if Ruck, second in the Manitoba Derby for trainer Reade Baker, or Sorryaboutnothing, who will be making his first start for trainer Troy Taylor, wins the wide-open event.