Maturity matches 'Princely,' Gus Again

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Gus Again and Princely Bu, who both earned career-best Beyer Speed Figures in winning their last start, will clash in the Manitoba Maturity here Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile race, for 4-year-olds bred in Manitoba, offers a purse of $35,000.

Trainer Harry Kube won this race last year for owner Russ Edwards with Sovereignadversary, and will look to duplicate the feat for Edwards's wife, Joan, with Gus Again.

Gus Again comes into the Maturity riding a three-race winning streak. In his most recent start, Gus Again scored for the first time around two turns, with a front-running performance at seven furlongs.

With Dawn of Forever looking like the speed of this race, Gus Again will probably take up a stalking position inside Princely Bu. Anderson Ward has the mount on Gus Again.

Two starts ago Princely Bu finished third, three lengths behind Gus Again. That race proved to be a wake-up call, as Princely Bu came back with an impressive front-end victory July 1.

Trained by John Keegan, Princely Bu probably also will stalk the pace. Jacques DesAutels will ride.

Dawn of Forever has faced the best local older mares in two starts this year, finishing a neck behind last year's top older mare Shezafrequentflyer and then fifth behind Regal Eyre and last year's 3-year-old filly champion Ispymytie.

Off since June 9, Dawn of Forever worked a sharp half-mile in 47.80 seconds on June 30, followed by a slow mile in 1:43.80 July 7. Rick Stevens, a recent arrival from Saskatchewan, will ride for trainer Fred Rawson.

* Last Saturday, Nasty Millie ($18.70) posted a front-end upset of 3-5 Mountain Crest in the R.C. Anderson. It was the first stakes win at Assiniboia Downs for trainer Dennis Harrisko and jockey Anderson Ward.

* On Sunday, owner K-5 Stable and trainer Darla Singh successfully defended their title in the Graduation with Ness Godall. Ridden by Rohan Singh, Ness Godall returned $7.50 to win.