Pair of Ky.-breds stretch out in Jeffrey

Theglow and Secret Officer top a field of six 3-year-olds looking to establish credentials for the Aug. 2 Manitoba Derby when they travel 1 1/16 miles in Saturday's $30,000 Harry Jeffrey Stakes at Assiniboia Downs.

With the elimination of the Derby Trial from the Assiniboia schedule, the Jeffrey has moved into the gap to serve as the key local prep for the derby.

Theglow and Secret Officer are a pair of Kentucky-breds who will be traveling beyond 7 1/2 furlongs for the first time.

Theglow, trained by Chad Torevell, recorded his first win in the six-furlong Golden Boy on June 3, leaving the 2-5 favorite Secret Officer 5 1/4 lengths back in second place.

In his next and most recent outing, Theglow again pressed the pace before drawing off to a 7 1/4-length victory in a $15,000 optional claimer at 7 1/2 furlongs.

Rohan Singh retains the mount on Theglow, who will begin from post 4 as the 122-pound highweight.

Secret Officer, trained by Don Schnell, rebounded from his Golden Boy setback to score by six lengths in the 7 1/2-furlong prep for the Jeffrey.

Mike Iammarino, who also guided Secret Officer to a 5 3/4-length win in the five-furlong Golden Boy prep, will be back in the irons.

If Theglow and Secret Officer hook up early, the beneficiary could be Morsel, a filly who will be making her first start against males. A winner going a mile on turf at Retama Park this winter, Morsel shipped to Winnipeg from trainer Charles Smith's Canterbury Park base to finish second behind stakes-winning stablemate Lady Countdown on June 24.

That open 7 1/2-furlong allowance race should set up Morsel for a chance at a major piece of the purse on Saturday.

Mark Anderson has the call on Morsel, who drew post 1.

Rounding out the field will be Storm Ranger, Hasty Prince, and Hilton's Cherokee.

Storm Ranger is coming off a second-place finish behind Secret Officer in the prep, while Hasty Prince moves up off a score over $7,500 conditioned claimers.

Hilton's Cherokee makes his local and seasonal debut.