Northlands Park: Dougs Buddy puts perfect mark on line in Canadian Juvenile

The undefeated Dougs Buddy will try and keep his record intact when he stretches out to a middle distance in the $50,000 Canadian Juvenile at Northlands Park Saturday. The one-mile feature for 2-year-olds drew eight horses and shares the spotlight with the $50,000 Freedom of City for 2-year-old fillies.

Dougs Buddy was no secret when he debuted in a maiden special race for leading trainer Joan Petrowski July 20. Sent off as the favorite in the 5 1/2-furlong race, he broke sharply with Rico Walcott aboard. He immediately took control of the race and widened his margin at every call to win by seven lengths. He did the same in the $50,000 Edmonton Juvenile with a convincing six-length win over Congrats Man. He also led every step of the way in the $50,000 Birdcatcher.

A Kentucky-bred colt by Badge of Silver, Dougs Buddy is the first foal out of Floral Park, who won three sprints but went unplaced in her only try going long. He drew the outside post and could be vulnerable with other speed drawn inside of him.

Walcott retains the mount.

Trainer Greg Tracy is expecting a big effort from Clear the Runway, who is coming off a 12 1/4-length win in a six-furlong maiden special weight race Sept. 21. It was his third start and the first time he ran on Lasix. Tracy thinks he won’t have any trouble handling the added distance.

“He’s bred to go long,” said Tracy. “We were high on him right from the start and he has really come around lately.”

Clear the Runway drew post 2, and Fernando Perez will likely put him into the race right out of the gate.

There is plenty of speed in the field and it could set up nicely for Silver Baubles, who is proven at the distance. Trained by Ron Grieves, Silver Baubles came from well back to win the one-mile Alberta Premier’s Futurity going away by 5 1/4 lengths. He was coming off a fast-closing second behind Dougs Buddy in the Birdcatcher.

Undefeated Gabe’s Pride won his debut going 3 1/2 furlongs and then romped by 7 3/4 lengths when he ran in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 28. Trained by Kelly Grieves, he is the first foal out of route stakes winner Gabe’s Prospect and might be worth a look at what could be a decent price.

◗ While the Juvenile appears to have a contentious field, the Freedom of City looks like it belongs to Ruckus Time.

Trained by Petrowski, Ruckus Time won the one-mile Sturgeon River by 9 1/4 lengths Sept. 17 and figures to be tough to handle in her second start going around three turns.

My Daddy’s Girl was favored in the Sturgeon River but had a rough trip and finished last. She was coming off front-running wins in the Filly Sales and Bird of Pay. Trainer Greg Tracy said My Daddy’s Girl could make amends if she breaks alertly from her inside post.