New Yorkers invade Golden Boy
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Seven of the dozen 3-year-olds entered in Saturday's $45,000 Golden Boy Stakes here at Assiniboia Downs made their last start elsewhere.
Trainer Emile Corbel sends out Western Deed as well as Gold and Blue Box, and both will cut back from one mile to six furlongs for the Golden Boy. Western Deed was claimed by owner Larry Carter two starts ago for $25,000. He finished second against $25,000 conditioned claimers at Belmont in his last start on May 17. Gold and Blue Box, also claimed by Carter three starts back for $35,000, has finished fifth twice since against New York-bred first-level allowance foes, the most recent on turf on May 19.
Mancini's Man, who will also cut back from one mile, goes for trainer Ian McDonald for the first time. He comes off a third against $25,000 conditioned claimers at Churchill Downs on May 9.
Trainer Martin Drexler saddles First Cavalry and Roman Legion. First Cavalry last raced at Assiniboia in August, winning the Winnipeg Futurity. Since then, First Cavalry has failed to win in five starts, including two against graded stakes company south of the border. In his most recent race he finished last of seven in the Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 7. Roman Legion has failed to do much since winning at first asking last December at Turfway Park.
Freud's Cure and C R Jag ship in from Alberta. Freud's Cure defeated older horses in a nonwinners-of-two allowance in his first outing of the year, then was pulled up in the President's Handicap last time out on May 5. Restricted stakes winner C R Jag finished eighth in the President's.
Albert Royalle likely represents the best hope of the five horses who made their last starts locally. A winner in his only start at 2, Albert Royalle defeated first-level allowance company in his start this year on May 11.
Stakes-placed Holy Smoke Ya finished behind Albert Royalle in his seasonal debut, while Country Humor finished third against older horses in a first-level allowance in his only start of the year on May 18. Ecton's Gem defeated first-level allowance company in his last out on May 25.
Rounding out the field is Gold Chester, who defeated maiden special weight company in his last start on May 21.