Its His Time safe at home

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Its His Time, winner of the June 19 Wolverine Stakes, will face nine Michigan-bred rivals in Tuesday evening's $50,000 Michigan Breeders' Cup at Great Lakes Downs.

The handicap, at 1 1/16 miles, is the fifth race on a nine-race card that begins at 5:10 p.m. Eastern.

Its His Time, owned by the Volar Corporation and trained by Ronnie Allen, has won both of his starts this year at Great Lakes. He recently ventured to Mountaineer Park, where he finished third, beaten a length, in an allowance race.

A 4-year-old Gilded Time runner, Its His Time has been assigned top weight of 122 pounds, and will be ridden by Mike Allen, who was aboard for both of his local wins.

Its His Time will be coupled with Dorthys Champ, who won this race last year, as both are owned by Volar.

Allen will also tighten the girth on the consistent Above the Wind, who is winless this meet but was second in the Wolverine. Freddy Mata gets the call on Above the Wind.

Rockem Sockem, the reigning Michigan horse of the year, was tabbed as the race's second highweight at 119 pounds. A winner already at the meet, Rockem Sockem turned in a dull effort in the Wolverine, but he can never be discounted.

Owned by Mast Thoroughbreds Inc., Rockem Sockem is trained by Robert Gorham and will have the services of leading rider Terry Hougton for Tuesday's race.