Northlands: Devil in Disguise invades for Count Lathum

Devil in Disguise will be a solid favorite when he runs in the $50,000 Count Lathum Handicap for 3-year-olds at Northlands Park Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile feature attracted six horses and will serve as the final local prep for the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby Aug. 25.

Devil in Disguise has won the last two stakes races for 3-year-olds at Hastings and has trained smartly since he arrived at Northlands a few weeks ago with trainer Dennis Terry. Terry, an assistant to trainer Troy Taylor, will be the trainer of record for Devil in Disguise’s two planned starts at Northlands. Terry won the 1989 Canadian Derby with Haveigotadealforu and he has an excellent chance of winning another derby if Devil in Disguise holds his current sharp form.

Devil in Disguise was much the best in the $50,000 River Rock Casino at Hastings June 2. Fernando Perez was forced to steady Devil in Disguise sharply when he tried to get through along the rail at the quarter pole, and Devil in Disguise still managed to win the 1 1/16-mile race by a widening 4 1/2 lengths. He came back with another strong effort in the 1 1/16-mile Chris Loseth with Mario Gutierrez aboard. Guiterrez guided Devil in Disguise through an opening along the rail to upset Taylors Deal. Gutierrez retains the mount.

Terry has been impressed with the way Devil in Disguise has been training at Northlands, particularly his five-furlong move in 59 seconds July 19.

“I never watched him work at Hastings and I could not believe the ground he covered when he worked here,” said Terry. “You would have never known he worked that fast.”

Dougs Buddy will try to atone for his loss as the favorite in the $50,000 Ky Alta. It was his first loss at Northlands and it is easy to forgive him for the defeat. Trained by Joan Petrowski, Dougs Buddy got off to a late start this year and he had just one sprint behind him before attempting to stretch out to a mile in the Ky Alta. He is clearly the speed of the field and could be dangerous if he gets away on his own.

Petrowski has also entered Toccetive, who has improved substantially in his last two races. He rallied to finish second behind undefeated Up Jumps a Monster in the Ky Alta and he was coming off a sharp win over Delta Court when he went around three turns for the first time in a one-mile $32,000 optional race July 2.

Onyhourbikemike, Ampsterband and Delta Court round out the field.