Gus Again back on track

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Gus Again looks for his third win in the Agassiz Stakes, a one-mile race for Manitoba-bred 3-year-olds and upward Saturday. An 8-year-old son of Kyle's Our Man, Gus Again won the 2001 and 2004 editions of the Agassiz, and finished second, beaten a nose, in 2002.

This year, the Wayne Elias-trained Gus Again appeared to have lost a step when he failed to win in his first four starts. But in his most recent start, Gus Again was dropped into a $14,000 claimer and beat His Money by a length after dueling with that one throughout.

Gus Again stretches out to a route of ground for the first time this season, and has won 3 of 10 at one mile.

Albarino, who beat Gus Again the only time they met, should provide the biggest challenge.

A 4-year-old son of Langfuhr, Albarino finished third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths against second-level allowance competition, in his most recent start on July 30. The start before that, Albarino was a convincing 3 1/2-length winner of the Manitoba Maturity, a race restricted to 4-year-olds bred in Manitoba.

Trainer Jack Robertson sends out His Money and Tarrango.

His Money finished second, a length behind Gus Again, in his most recent start. Tarrango finished fourth last time out.

Lead Hound finished fourth in the $14,000 claimer, two lengths behind Gus Again and His Money, in his last race.

Stonewall Harris a winner over conditioned claimers in his most recent, finished third, 14 lengths behind Albarino, two starts ago in the Manitoba Maturity.