Northlands: Contested pace sets up Wild Legend in Birdcatcher

Wild Legend took advantage of a hotly contested pace to win the $50,000 Birdcatcher at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Shannon Beauregard had Wild Legend ($19.80) sitting comfortably near the back of the field while heavily favored Mr Know It All, Legend Fortynine, and Western Heritage were battling through honest fractions of 23 and 47.20 seconds in the 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old colts and geldings.

Wild Legend saved ground until Beauregard moved him out to make his move on the stretch turn and despite having a hard time handling the turn, he was able to get up in time to edge Lintlaw by a half-length. Go Max finished third but was disqualified to fifth for interfering with Western Heritage in midstretch. Mr Know It All faded to finish fourth and was moved up to third.

The final time was 1:21.20.

It was the third winner on the card for trainer Dale Saunders, whose wife Barb Saunders bred and owns Wild Legend.

In the next race, Rico Walcott brought Cougarville from last to win the $50,000 Bird of Pay for 2-year-old fillies. She paid $9.30 as the second choice in the 6 1/2-furlong race. Heavily favored Honey Candy forced a fast pace, opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn, but couldn’t hold off the strong late move by Cougarville.

The final was 1:21.20.

Cougarville is based at Hastings, where she won her only start in a maiden special weight race for trainer Craig MacPherson and owner Chad Joe on July 21.