Fancy Bru class of Agassiz Stakes

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - After an 18-day break, the Assiniboia Downs stakes schedule resumes Saturday with the $40,000 Agassiz. Five older Manitoba-bred males will contest the one-mile feature.

Heading the field is Fancy Bru, whose last three victories have come in stakes races restricted to Manitoba-breds. Two starts ago, Fancy Bru beat 4-year-olds in the Manitoba Maturity. Last year, the Gary Danelson-trained gelding defeated 3-year-olds in the J.W. Sifton and Manitoba stakes.

Most recently, Fancy Bru was sixth in the open Wheat City Stakes here Aug. 2. A son of Buie, Fancy Bru has won 2 of 6 at one mile. Regular rider Travis Hightower will be aboard Fancy Bru as they break from the outside.

Gus Again won the 2001 Agassiz Stakes, the same year he won the Manitoba Maturity. A son of Kyle's Our Man, Gus Again finished second in the 2002 Agassiz. This year the Wayne Elias-trained Gus Our Man has won 2 of 3 with a runner-up finish in his seasonal bow. Most recently, Gus Again won an optional $16,000 claiming race July 11.

Gus Again will stretch out to a route of ground for the first time this year on Saturday. Vince Guerra, who has been up for both of Gus Again's victories this season, will be in the irons from post 2.

His Money posted a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 82 in both his victories this year. Trained by Jack Robertson, His Money's most recent win was against first-level allowance company two starts ago. Last time out, His Money finished fifth in an optional $16,000 claimer at the Agassiz distance.

His Money starts from the rail with Ken Hendricks up.

Minus Three has won three of five starts this year. Trained by Brent Hrymak, Minus Three defeated optional $16,000 claiming rivals in his most recent start on July 24. Beth Butler will ride Minus Three again from post 4.