Northlands: Dougs Buddy completes perfect season in Canadian Juvenile

Dougs Buddy wrapped up a perfect season and local 2-year-old honors with a hard-fought win over Silver Baubles in the $50,000 Canadian Juvenile at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Dougs Buddy ($4.70) scored front-running wins in all three of his previous outings, including the Edmonton Juvenile and Birdcatcher. After Dougs Buddy broke alertly in the one-mile Canadian Juvenile, it looked like he might duel with Gabe’s Pride early. Rico Walcott had other ideas, however, and eased Dougs Buddy into a stalking position. Walcott dropped Dougs Buddy all the way back to fifth going down the backstretch the final time before moving him off the rail to make his bid. Going three-wide around the stretch turn, Dougs Buddy held a short lead over Clear the Runway and Silver Baubles at the top of the stretch and prevailed by a length over Silver Baubles. Clear the Runway held on to finish third.

The final time was a very good 1:40.20.

Dougs Buddy is trained by Joan Petrowski who is going to be the leading trainer at the meet for the first time in her career.

Walcott also rode Tempered Sapphire ($13.90 ) to a 10 ½-length win over Country Fire in the $50,000 Freedom of the City for 2-year-old fillies.

Tempered Sapphire went three-wide around the first turn while pressing the early pace in the one-mile race. She dropped into a stalking positing behind My Daddy’s Girl and Ruckus Time going around the second turn and then moved up to engage the leaders on the stretch turn. Tempered Sapphire quickly opened up a clear lead turning for home and was never threatened by Country Fire, who made a late move from along the rail. Kiss Me Goodbye got up for third.

Heavily favored Ruckus Time faded to last.

The final time was 1:42.60.

Trained by Rod Cone, Tempered Sapphire was a maiden going into the race.