Ice Bear will go for repeat in Eclipse

Ice Bear breezed seven furlongs in 1:26 under jockey Chantal Sutherland and is slated to make his first start of the year in the Eclipse, rather than the Vigil.

"He's not a sprinter, and that race came up pretty tough," said trainer Mac Benson. "He's a decent work horse, so why run him when you don't have to?"

A 6-year-old homebred gelding who races for George Strawbridge's Augustin Stable, Ice Bear won last year's Eclipse in his second start of the season.

Ave gets ready for Gallorette

Ave, a 4-year-old filly trained by Attfield, breezed six furlongs in 1:14.80 with jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva in the irons and should make her North American debut in next Saturday's Gallorette at Pimlico.

The $100,000 Gallorette is a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares.

Owned by Three Chimneys LLC, Ave was bred in Britain and started nine times in her homeland, winning twice on turf and once on a synthetic surface while banking $156,310.

CTHS awards dinner on June 12

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society hosts its 28th annual awards dinner on Saturday, June 12, at the Copper Creek Golf Club in nearby Kleinburg.

Ellie-Boje Farm, which campaign stakes-winning homebreds Rahy's Attorney and Glitter Rox, will be honored as the 2009 breeder of the year at the gathering.

The late Michael Burns, the award-winning photographer who was a fixture on the Ontario scene for more than 65 years, is the winner of the Mint Julep Award for his contributions to the industry.

Tickets, at $75 plus tax, may be obtained by contacting the CTHS office at (416) 675-3602.