Lukes Alley can make case for Sovereign Award in Autumn Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The older-male division has been one of the more wide-open divisions at Woodbine this season, but Lukes Alley can make a strong case for divisional honors at next spring’s Sovereign Awards ceremony with a win in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Autumn Stakes.

The 4-year-old son of Flower Alley has raced just three times this season but has won his last two starts and captured his first graded stakes victory last time out in the Grade 3 Durham Cup on Oct. 4. Lukes Alley earned a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure in the Durham Cup, in which he defeated His Race to Win, who also has a strong case to be Canada’s champion older male.

While six have been entered in the Autumn Stakes, one of the Nicholas Gonzalez entries could be scratched from the race. Gonzalez has entered Midnight Aria and Eirigh but said last week that his plan was to run Midnight Aria in the Autumn Stakes, with Eirigh serving as a backup. Gonzalez added that he did not want to run the horses against each other due to their similar front-running racing styles.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Lukes Alley (Last 3 Beyers: 97-90-81)

◗ A moderate pace appears likely for the Autumn Stakes, which should suit Lukes Alley. He made a visually impressive move from off the pace in the Durham Cup and could replicate it in the Autumn.

War Correspondent (Last Beyer: 90)

◗ War Correspondent will make his second start in North America in the Autumn for trainer Christophe Clement but does have experience racing on synthetic in France.

Are You Kidding Me (Last 3 Beyers: 91-93-89)

◗ Are You Kidding Me is the likely pacesetter in the Autumn and carried his speed into the stretch in the Durham Cup before being passed by Lukes Alley and His Race to Win in the final eighth of a mile.

Alpha Bettor (Last 3 Beyers: 81-87-83)

◗ Alpha Bettor will add blinkers back after finishing fourth while racing without blinkers for the first time in the Durham Cup.

Midnight Aria (Last 3 Beyers: 83-34-98)

◗ Midnight Aria will be forwardly placed in the Autumn but might not be quick enough out of the gate to get the lead from Are You Kidding Me.

◗ All three of Midnight Aria’s wins have come on the lead, so he’ll need to prove he can win from a stalking position.