Hot pace sets up Anderson closers

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - There should be a lively pace in Friday's featured seventh race, a first-level allowance race for fillies and mares, because all four inside horses prefer the front end.

Of the four, Nothing Less makes her first start here after just missing against $8,000 statebred claimers at Turf Paradise last month. Game Girl comes off a dull effort on grass at Turf Paradise in her most recent. She failed to win in seven chances at this level here last year. Angel Deelite returns to the site of her lone win after starting in five claiming races at Woodbine from August to December. Cobra's Princess, sent off as the favorite in her last five starts, should also be a part of the pace picture.

Trainer Carl Anderson sends out two who should benefit from a contested pace. Celestine's Swivet makes her debut for Anderson after being with Bert Blake last season. Anderson also sends Deadly Tonic, who makes her first local start after making 10 starts at Hastings.

Asmokeafterdinner, formerly based in Ontario, also makes her first start here, and she has a new trainer in Clayton Gray.

Hightower warms up opener

Jockey Travis Hightower showed he's ready to go for a third consecutive riding title by winning three races on the first card of the year Sunday. Felipe Valdez made the biggest splash of the newcomers, taking two races. Larren Delorme, Tim Gardiner, and Tony Matteucci also recorded wins.

Siberian Falstaff won the featured seventh race to improve her record to 7 wins from 10 starts. She was followed under the wire by the Emile Corbel-trained entry of Erika's Lass and Lt. Regent. Trained by Lise Cayer, Siberian Falstaff returned $10.10 to win.

* Saturday's live racing card begins at 1 p.m. to lead up to the Kentucky Derby.