Global Access, Avie's Flatter chase title in Ontario Derby

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Divisional honors could be on the line Saturday, when Global Access clashes with Avie’s Flatter in the Grade 3, $125,000 Ontario Derby at Woodbine.

Global Access and Avie’s Flatter are two of the leading horses eligible for this year’s Sovereign Award as Canadian champion 3-year-old male, along with Prince of Wales and Breeders’ Stakes winner Tone Broke.

Based in Maryland with trainer Mike Trombetta, Global Access won the Grade 3 Marine on the Tapeta here in May and finished second and third in two other stakes at the meet. He ran twice over the summer on the grass at Saratoga, winding up third in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame before taking the Grade 3 Saranac on Aug. 31.

“After the Hall of Fame, we pointed him towards the Saranac, and fortunately he was good enough to get it done,” Trombetta said. “He ran a really good race.”

Canada’s reigning champion 2-year-old male, Avie’s Flatter ran second or third in all three legs of this year’s Canadian Triple Crown. He won the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland in April.

The 1 1/8-mile distance of the Ontario Derby is probably Avie’s Flatter’s best, and he’s worked solidly for trainer Josie Carroll since finishing third in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ on turf Aug. 17.

Saturday’s 11-race card also includes another 1 1/8-mile Tapeta stakes, the $125,000 Durham Cup for 3-year-olds and up.

KEY CONTENDERS

Global Access, by Giant’s Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-81

◗ Trombetta believes the flashy chestnut is a good fit for the Ontario Derby.

“I don’t think the distance will be a problem, and I think he’s equally good on both surfaces,” Trombetta said. “He’s been training good. I’m pretty pleased with him.”

Avie’s Flatter, by Flatter

Last 3 Beyers: 80-89-89

◗ Carroll and owner Ivan Dalos won the 2016 Ontario Derby with the future Canadian champion Amis Gizmo.

Jungle Fighter, by Animal Kingdom

Last 3 Beyers: 91-86-81

◗ He’s making his stakes debut off a four-length score over older rivals in a second-level optional claimer on the grass. The Stronach Stable runner is a two-time winner on the Tapeta.

“He’s an improving horse and he’s doing very well,” trainer Robert Tiller said. “I think he’s better on grass, but it’s hard to say, because he’s on the improve.”

◗ Gary Boulanger inherits the mount on him from Eurico Da Silva, who is riding Avie’s Flatter.

Durham Cup

Special Forces will try to notch his first stakes win against a modest group in the Grade 3 Durham Cup. Since winning a second-level optional claimer in his season opener, Special Forces has finished second in the Grade 3 Dominion Day, third in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup, and second in the $200,000 Presque Isle Downs Mile.