Distance a worry for two favorites

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The one-mile Vice Regent Stakes might be a tad short for Rahy's Attorney, and it seems a little too far for Legal Move. They figure to be the favorites in the $125,000 turf race for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds, and the edge should go to Rahy's Attorney.

Rahy's Attorney found his best stride this summer, when trainer Ian Black tried him on the grass. He won a pair of Ontario-sired allowances under Robert Landry in his last two starts, while receiving Beyer Speed Figures in the high 80s.

"He likes the grass," Landry said. "He seems to thrive on [longer] distances and would probably like this race to be a little farther. He galloped out real strong the other day. His only two subpar races were when he ran five and a half furlongs and three-quarters. All his other races were good."

Landry was particularly impressed with Rahy's Attorney's most recent effort, in which he had a dream run along the inside. It was somewhat reminiscent of Calvin Borel's ride aboard Street Sense in this year's Kentucky Derby.

"He was in the 1-hole and never had any other options but to go inside," Landry said. "There were a couple of times when it looked like somebody was going to duck in, but, luckily, they didn't. It was a little tight when I came up inside [No Dilettante], but he didn't hesitate to go through."

Legal Move, the 121-pound highweight, has four restricted stakes scores, including the June 13 Bold Ruckus over six furlongs on the grass.

Trainer Mark Casse is optimistic about Legal Move's chances Sunday.

"He really likes the turf, and he didn't run that poorly going a mile and a sixteenth on the Polytrack last year," Casse said. "I don't see why he can't go a mile on the grass, although I'd hate to see the grass have a lot of give to it."

Casse has lots of admiration for Legal Move, who has banked $391,850 for Woodford Racing.

"He tries really hard," Casse said. "He's won so many races and has to carry so much weight, which is tough on him. To me, he's an overachiever, and I've always loved overachievers."

Dancer's Bajan is making his turf debut with a pedigree better suited to the dirt or Polytrack. He got two pounds from a flat Legal Move when he took the seven-furlong Deputy Minister Stakes under 126 pounds in his last start July 18.