Outsiders pose serious threat to local crowd

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Local horses will have to be at their best if they hope to win any of three stakes races on the Manitoba Derby undercard at Assiniboia Downs.

Canterbury Park invaders El Gran Seville and Tuff Justice look like the ones to beat in the $40,000 Winnipeg Futurity, for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

El Gran Seville won his maiden two starts ago against special weight company, then was third in the Canterbury Park Juvenile after a poor beginning.

Tuff Justice, a filly, won her career debut at Prairie Meadows before finishing fourth in the Prairie Gold Lassie, then was narrowly beaten in the Canterbury Park Lassie in her most recent start.

Deeliteful Boy, a winner over maiden special company here in his last start, holds the best chance for the local contingent.

Everglades Drifter and Forwhomthebelcalls, both of whom are winners, and Maid for Speed, second in the Debutante Stakes in her most recent start, also represent local interests.

Two former Woodbine-based runners, Iwoodificould and Indy Lead, will face each other in the $40,000 Wheat City for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile.

Trained by Emile Corbel, Iwoodificould has won 3 of his 4 career starts at one mile.

Previously trained by Roger Attfield, Indy Lead has been off-form in two starts this year, but he is 3 for 3 at Assiniboia Downs. He has had two sharp works here this month for new trainer Carl Anderson.

Canterbury Park invader Icy Tobin has primarily been a sprinter in his 24-race career but could be tough if he's able to carry his speed one mile.

Fancy Bru won the restricted Manitoba Maturity in his last start, while Northern Affair was narrowly beaten by Iwoodificould in his most recent outing.

Ericka's Lass will race on Lasix for the first time and have a new rider in Vince Guerra as she looks for her third stakes victory of 2004 in the $40,000 Jack Hardy for 3-year-old fillies at one mile.

Southern Spring won a second-level allowance on turf at Canterbury Park in her most recent start. Trained by Doug Oliver, Southern Spring won her maiden by 11 1/4 lengths at Turf Paradise in her lone victory on dirt.

Eternal Dawn, another Canterbury Park invader, won a first-level allowance in her last start. Trained by Wilson Brown, Eternal Dawn will try a route of ground for the first time here.