Going for 3 straight

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Shanghied looks for his third win in a row, all at this track, in Sunday's $40,000 Derby Trial Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

The Derby Trial is the major local prep for the $75,000 Manitoba Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race here Aug. 2.

Trained by Bert Blake, Shanghied won his maiden here on May 29. He then won the six-furlong Golden Stakes in his next start on June 11, posting a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 78.

A son of A.P. Indy, Shanghied should continue to improve as the distances of his races increase. Travis Hightower retains the mount on Shanghied, who breaks from post 3.

Skipper finished second behind Shanghied in the Golden Boy, then romped to an eight-length victory in a first-level allowance July 1. Trained by Raymond Liu, Skipper makes his ninth start of 2004 in the Derby Trial. Ken Hendricks has the call from post 6.

Saw Grass Sabre won the President's Handicap at Stampede Park three starts ago. A son of Sword Dance, Saw Grass Sabre then finished third in the Hoofprint on My Heart Handicap before an 11th-place finish in the Alberta Derby.

Saw Grass Sabre will race on Lasix for the first time in the Derby Trial and will likely battle for the early lead with Picador Kat and Deputy Ambassador. Saw Grass Sabre begins from post 2 with Leanne Painter in the irons.

Stonewall Harris finished third in the Golden Boy before a runner-up performance in the restricted Manitoba Stakes June 26. Trained by Harry Kube, Stonewall Harris will be ridden by Larren Delorme for the first time, and they break from post 8.

Coal Smudge finished sixth in the Golden Boy, then won the Manitoba Stakes in his most recent. He breaks from post 4 with regular rider Jason Leacock on board.

After winning his first two lifetime starts, Deputy Ambassador was fifth in the Golden Boy and then finished ninth in an optional claimer in his most recent start.

Trained by Clayton Gray, Deputy Ambassador starts from post 5 with Paul Leacock up.

Picador Kat won his maiden in his most recent start and will try a route of ground for the first time in the Derby Trial. He begins from the rail with Jerry Pruitt in the irons.

Warmnfuzzyfeelin, the field's lone filly, finished third in the Chantilly Stakes in her most recent start. Trained by Ardell Sayler, Warmnfuzzyfeelin will be ridden by Vince Guerra, and they break from post 7.