Northlands: Diorodo making late push to repeat as leading trainer

Trainer Robertino Diodoro got off to a slow start to the current meet at Northlands Park but he has been hot lately and goes into the final stretch of the season with 40 wins, one more than Joan Petrowski. Diodoro, who won his first Northlands training title last year, has a couple of live horses entered in a $15,000 claiming race for fillies and mares that will serve as Friday’s feature.

Honorable Lady and Come Home Quick appear to have strong chances of winning the six-furlong sprint that drew six horses and goes as the third race.

Come Home Quick is coming off a win in a $20,000 claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 3, and the past five years Diodoro has a 20 percent strike rate with horses who won their last start. Come Home Quick dueled with Wicked Woman of Ny in her latest win, and she will have to fend her off again Friday.

Honorable Lady could move forward following a solid effort behind Viva Slew in a similar race Aug. 17. Her three previous races were at Marquis Downs, where she won two of her three starts, including the Saskatchewan Lotteries Handicap. Honorable Lady drew the rail, can stalk, and should get a nice trip from just behind the expected duel between Come Home Quick and Wicked Woman of Ny.

Viva Slew was a very sharp horse going into the race won by Come Home Quick and was sent off as the solid favorite. She ran an uncharacteristically dull race, however, finishing fifth. She was an easy winner as the 4-5 favorite in her previous race for a $20,000 tag going six furlongs and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her rebound with a strong performance.

Blinkers off a speed horse can lead to good things and trainer Tim Rycroft will be taking the shades off Wicked Woman of Ny.

Yearling sale average jumps 37 percent

The average price for yearlings jumped by 37 percent to $7,411 at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sale held last Sunday.

A total of 43 yearlings were sold for $318,700. Last year the average price for the 92 yearlings sold was $5,389.

The main reason for the fewer number of horses sold was a private sale held in August by Esquirol Farms, where 60 yearlings were cataloged.

The sales topper went to Rich Wathen for $35,000. A gelding by Saint Stephen out of Withoutapproval, he is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Sin Toro.