Leading Northlands jockey Walcott visits Assiniboia for pair of stakes

Leading Northlands Park jockey Rico Walcott is taking a rare day off to ride a couple of stakes races at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Wednesday.

First and foremost is Edison, who is running in the $30,000 Harry Jeffrey for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles.

Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Edison is being pointed to the $200,000, Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Northlands Aug. 16.

A Florida-bred colt by Bernardini, Edison has raced exclusively on turf. He was purchased privately following a third-place finish in a first-level allowance race on May 10 at Belmont for trainer Todd Pletcher. In his first start for Diodoro, he won a $50,000 optional-claiming race going a mile and 70 yards at Canterbury June 21.

Diodoro is confident Edison will run a big race in his first start on dirt.

“He trains real well over dirt,” Diodoro said. “I was really happy with his last work at Canterbury. I caught him a little faster than his official time [1:03.40], and he did it really easily.”

A strong performance Wednesday would land him a spot in the Canadian Derby.

“That was our goal when we bought him, and we’re right on schedule,” Diodoro said. “The Derby is exactly a month away, so the timing is perfect.”

The same connections won the Canadian Derby last year with Broadway Empire.

Walcott also rides Deadly Truth in the $30,000 Wheat City.

Trained by Tim Rycroft, Deadly Truth figures to be a longshot in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up. He is coming off a win in a $25,000 optional claimer at Northlands June 18 with Quincy Welch aboard.