Red Vil Do tops Heritage card

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - It will be a Saskatchewan day at at Marquis Downs Sunday, as four stakes for Saskatchewan-bred 2- and 3-year-olds will be staged on the annual Heritage Day program.

The 2-year olds will race at 6 1/2 furlongs while the 3-year olds compete over 1 1/16 miles.

The $12,100 Parkland Heritage for 3-year-old fillies is by far the day's most competitive race, as Saskatchewan Derby winner Red Vil Do takes on Ms. Lady Rose, Rapadash, and four others.

Red Vil Do beat the boys in the Aug. 5 Saskatchewan Derby to record her second straight stakes victory. Rider Rick Stevens placed Red Vil Do in stalking position behind a speed duel, and she closed well to register a 2 3/4-length victory at Sunday's distance.

Before her Derby win, in the Classic Handicap against members of her own sex, Red Vil Do stalked the pace but couldn't catch Ms. Lady Rose. Red Vil Do was moved up to the win spot, however, when Ms. Lady Rose was disqualified and placed third.

Ms. Lady Rose has been dominant this year, with a record of three wins, a second, and the third in five starts. Walter Ramos Jr. picks up the mount.

Rapadash won the Marquis Oaks this spring but hasn't fired in her two most recent efforts. In her last start, though, against the top older mares on the grounds, she ran an even fourth at this distance, and her final time was three-fifths of a second faster than Red Vil Do's time in the Derby.

The $12,700 Shortgrass Heritage for 3-year old males appears to belong to Kar-Lyn Stables' Wendys Choice.

Although winless this year, Wendys Choice has been stakes-placed three times, including a third in the Derby. Ramos rides Wendy's Choice, who will face eight rivals.

Royal Brittany appears ready to score her third stakes win in the $12,100 Woodland Heritage for juvenile fillies.

Ridden by leading jockey Isiah Sala, Royal Brittany easily won filly split of the Saskatchewan Futurity and then took the Larry Lashyn Futurity against the boys last time out.

The $11,500 Western Heritage for juvenile males should be ruled by the R J Stable entry of Good Old Sprite and Tuff Tiger Joe.

Good Old Sprite has been second in each of his two starts, both in stakes company, including the Lashyn, where he chased Royal Brittany throughout.

Tuff Tiger Joe is the only winner in the field.