Iwoodificould looks like he can repeat

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Iwoodificould should be tough to beat when he defends his title in Sunday's $40,000 Free Press Stakes at six furlongs.

Like last year, Iwoodificould won an allowance race here in preparation for the Free Press. In this year's prep on May 21, Iwoodificould defeated Lord Shogun, Sir Pucker, and Northern Affair, all of whom he faces again here.

Trained by Emile Corbel, Iwoodificould will be ridden by Rohan Singh.

While Corbel has the one to beat, trainer Carl Anderson has the most chances to pull off the upset as he sends out Lord Shogun, Simply Regal, and Nugrayontheblock.

Lord Shogun finished second behind Iwoodificould after setting the pace on May 21. That race was Lord Shogun's first of the year and marked the first time he ran here since the 2002 Manitoba Derby - which was also the last race Lord Shogun won.

Simply Regal faces stakes company for the first time after winning a second-level allowance race in his latest on June 4.

Nugrayontheblock, who spent last year in Alberta, makes his first start of the season.

K 5 Stables Inc. will be represented by Sir Pucker and Northern Affair, the third- and fourth-place finishers behind Iwoodificould on May 21. Both will be making their second starts of the season.

Sand Rush was claimed for $10,000 by trainer Sherry Laing in his last start and will likely battle Lord Shogun for the early lead.

The field rounds out with Prado Maximus, a winner over first-level allowance foes in his local debut on May 7. The 5-year-old son of El Prado was well beaten by Simply Regal in his most recent outing.