Lund takes 2 shots at La Verendrye

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Heading into this weekend, trainer Valorie Lund had won 9 of 24 starts at the meet and was tied atop the local trainer standings with Emile Corbel.

Lund, in her first year at Assiniboia Downs, on Sunday sends out Too Tall and Dark Rapids in the $40,000 La Verendrye Stakes. A field of eight fillies and mares is slated to go six furlongs.

Undefeated in both her starts here, Too Tall won an optional claiming race on May 9 and then took an allowance prep for this race May 28. AToo Tall breaks from post 3 with Tim Gardiner on board.

Dark Rapids won an allowance race in her first start here before finishing second, a half-length behind Too Tall, last time out. A daughter of Virginia Rapids, Dark Rapids will likely battle for the early lead here with Beausox. She starts from post 7 under Travis Hightower.

Remiewaterbluz has been favored in both her starts here this year. She finished second behind Dark Rapids and then was a closing third behind the Valorie Lund-trained pair in her latest. Trained by Clayton Gray, Remiewaterbluz begins from post 4 with Paul Leacock in the irons.

Jade Peony ships in from Alberta after two poor performances in stakes. She breaks from post 2 with Vince Guerra.

Beausox will likely provide pace pressure once again as she starts from post 5 under Jason Leacock.

Siberian Falstaff, a winner in 4 of 5 lifetime starts, all with claimers, will try stakes company for the first time. She begins from post 6 with Jerry Pruitt.

The field rounds out with Pete's Surprise (post 1, Ken Hendricks) and Tamorons Blade (post 8, Gary Melanson).