Northlands Park: Alywyn could benefit from pace duel

A possible duel between Notoriously and Rubyintheruff could set up Alywyn in the $50,000 Wild Rose Handicap for fillies and mares at Northlands Sunday. The six-furlong sprint drew five horses and goes as the seventh race on an eight-race card that begins at 1:00 p.m. Mountain.

Rubyintheruff and Alywyn are officially trained by Amber Meyaard and will run uncoupled in the wagering. Amber Meyaard is listed as the trainer but she shares the training duties with her husband, Jim Meyaard, who has been barred from Northlands this year. Jim Meyaard has been one of the top trainers at Northlands since 2008. He began the year at Woodbine before deciding to return to Northlands.

The horses are being trained at Westana Ranches which is located in Redwater.

Meyaard said he was banned from Northlands because he was openly critical of management there.

Management at Northlands declined to comment.

“Amber and I are still doing everything the same,” said Meyaard. “We’re just doing it at Westana, which is a beautiful facility.”

Jim Meyaard thinks Rubyintheruff could have the edge if she breaks alertly. She won her only start at Northlands by over seven lengths when she debuted in a $20,000 maiden claiming race last September 9. In two starts at Woodbine this year she won a $40,000 conditional claiming race by 5 1/4 lengths April 29 and she also ran a big race to finish second in a first-level allowance race May 26. In both races of her races at Woodbine she went right to the front.

Alywyn has won six of her eight races going six furlong and she finished second in the Wild Rose last year. A deep closer, Alywyn made a strong late move to finish second in an allowance race at Fort Erie in her only start this year.

Scott Williams is named to ride both horses.

Notoriously is better going longer but she can sprint and is coming off a couple of sharp races at Hastings for trainer Rod Cone.

Notoriously, who won the 1 1/16-mile Madamoiselle and City of Edmonton at Northlands last year, is coming off a third-place finish in the 6 1/2-furlong Brighouse Belles at Hastings. She likes to be involved early and jockey Rico Walcott will have to decide if he wants to duel with Rubyintheruff or try and stalk.

Two Horn Unicorn and Squiggly Gets Even round out the field.