Red-hot McAleney on the right horse again

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Jockey Jim McAleney has been on a tremendous roll at Woodbine. He won three consecutive races last Saturday, and took the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth last Sunday aboard Kabeeb.

On Saturday, McAleney will be aboard Steady Ruckus, the likely favorite in the $140,125 Bunty Lawless Stakes, a one-mile race for Ontario-sired runners.

Steady Ruckus, a beaten favorite in the 2001 Bunty Lawless, has won 2 of 7 starts this year for trainer Gil Rowntree. He won the seven-furlong Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on the main track in July, and took the restricted Halton Stakes, at about 1 1/8 miles on turf, in his penultimate outing.

Steady Ruckus was a flat fifth as the heavy favorite most recently in the seven-furlong allowance prep for this race, which was taken off the grass.

"His last race was a throwout," McAleney said. "We didn't have a very good trip. We got stuck down on the inside, and Don't Seven Out, who's a great big horse, was outside off us, which was kind of intimidating for my horse.

"It was also difficult for him, because he was cutting back after running long on the turf. With an outside post and cleaner trip, I think he'd have been more effective."

McAleney said he anticipates a much better effort from Steady Ruckus on Saturday.

"He's a tough competitor," McAleney said. "He's a fun horse to ride, and I expect him to bounce back. He ran a [subpar] race for me earlier this year, and came off of it to win. I breezed him the other day, and he went as good or better than ever."

Rounding out the Bunty Lawless lineup are Inish Glora, Scotman, Storm Cruiser, Spring Barley, All Star Lover, Pegylation Devil Valentine, River Boat, Don't Seven Out, Hanlan, and Hoptuit Bud.

Don't Seven Out, who defeated Steady Ruckus when second in the prep, hasn't missed the board in six starts this year while banking $128,736.

Owner-trainer Ralph Biamonte said he believes a mile is ideal for Don't Seven Out, a modestly bred 6-year-old gelding by Broadway Harry.

"I think his best distance is a mile," Biamonte said. "He's a huge, one-paced horse, who doesn't have a big turn of speed. His only downfall is that you can't run him back quick. He has to have at least three weeks off in between races."

Biamonte said he isn't overly concerned with the possibility of less-than-firm footing on Saturday.

"He ran well on good turf last year at Fort Erie," Biamonte said.

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