Northlands Park: Broadway Empire lands post 11 for Canadian Derby

Morning-line favorite Broadway Empire will break from post 11 in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park. Post positions were chosen by representatives of the 12 horses that entered the 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds at a brunch held Wednesday morning at Northlands.

Trainer Robertino Diodoro was disappointed when he had the last choice with Broadway Empire.

“I wanted him closer to the rail, where he could settle in behind horses, but you have to play the hand you’re dealt with,” Diodoro said.

Broadway Empire is coming off a dominating win in the $50,000 Ky Alta Handicap, and he will need to control his substantial speed in order to carry it around four turns.

Diodoro was pleased when owner Rick Wiest chose post 9 for Smart Promotion, who is undefeated in three starts for Diodoro. Smart Promotion forced an honest pace before drawing off to win the $50,000 Count Lathum Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Northlands on July 27.

The connections of longshot Two to Load had first choice, and they chose post 4. Two to Load, trained by Wally Pugh, is shipping in from Evangeline Downs.

Reporting Star, second to Verrazano in the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, will break from post 3. Trainer Craig MacPherson was happy with the way Reporting Star arrived from Toronto early Wednesday morning.

He was on the same plane as Title Contender, who is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. Title Contender, trained by Anita Bolton, had second choice of posts, but there were no representatives at the draw so the horse was given post 12.

Trainer Dino Condilenios said he wanted Shooting Jacket as close to the rail as possible, and he was pleased when post 1 was still available when he made his choice by phone from Vancouver. Shooting Jacket is coming off a win in the $50,000 Chris Loseth Handicap at Hastings on July 1.

Other notables: For Cash, post 10, Deadly Truth, 6, and Success Rate, 8.

Post time for the richest race in Western Canada is 5:45 p.m. Mountain.