Lord Frederick can score if he settles

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Lord Frederick will be very tough to beat Monday if Chad Hoverson can get him to settle early and set moderate fractions in the fourth leg of the Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd. Marathon Series. The 1 1/2-mile feature for horses who have started for $8,000 or less in 2005-06 carries a generous purse of $30,000 and drew 11 horses.

Despite the fact that Lord Frederick finished third behind Jule Bandit and Zip the Bright in a race at the same distance Sept. 16, he still figures to be a solid favorite Monday. With Pedro Alvarado aboard, Lord Frederick forced sprint-like fractions of 22:82 seconds, 46:76, and 1:12.43. He tired in the stretch but held on well to finish just over a length behind the winner, Jule Bandit.

Hoverson picks up the mount on the Bill Smith-trained Lord Frederick from Alvarado, who rides Dalton Green.

Considering that Jule Bandit has started 65 times in his career and never won twice in a row, it would be hard to accept a short price on him in Monday's race. Nonetheless, he came back with a strong four-furlong work Oct. 3 and would have to be considered one of the stronger contenders in the field. Jule Bandit, who needs some pace to run at, comes out of the Cindy Krasner barn and will be ridden by Anderson Ward.

Other than Jule Bandit, All Is Calm is the only horse in the field with a win at the distance. He gets in light at 109 pounds.