Regal 'n Bold off monster effort

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Regal 'n Bold and unbeaten Deputy Cures Blues stand out in Wednesday's $129,500 Victorian Queen Stakes, a six-furlong race for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

Regal 'n Bold, a striking daughter of Bold Executive, destroyed a weak field of Ontario-sired maidens two weeks ago, winning by nearly 12 lengths after a wide stalking trip over an outside-biased track. Her time of 1:04.80 seconds was good for a whopping Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

"She won very easily," said trainer Reade Baker, "She's in great shape, and I expect her to run huge again, although I'm fearful of a bounce, running back in two weeks."

Regal 'n Bold rallied wide for second when she debuted in a five-furlong maiden special in August, an effort that surprised Baker.

"After she was beaten in her first start, I was in a state of shock," Baker explained. "I knew she wasn't 'ready-ready,' but I thought she was good enough to win, and I don't know why she didn't show any speed. I couldn't believe the way she ran."

Deputy Cures Blues is running back just 10 days after posting a mild upset in a six-furlong allowance, in which she got up in the last jump and earned a respectable Beyer Figure of 81. She won her debut against $50,000 maidens on Aug. 31.

Trainer Tino Attard said Deputy Cures Blues, a daughter of War Deputy, has already fulfilled some of her promise.

"From the first day they sent her to me, I've always liked her," said Attard. "She's good-looking, sound, and she's so quiet - you can do anything with her."

Attard said Deputy Cures Blues enjoys the chase, as much as the catch, in competition and in workouts.

"She likes to run at horses," Attard explained. "She lets them open up, and then chases them down. She loves the mud, and I think she'll go long, too," he added.

Completing the Victorian Queen lineup will be Dressed for Action, Miss Crissy, Last Mysterious, and Fancy Drinks.

Dressed for Action, trained by Tony Mattine, was second when she debuted in the Nandi Stakes, and then beat Regal 'n Bold when she won her maiden race. She dueled through fast fractions, before fading to fifth, in her most recent outing, the seven-furlong Muskoka Stakes, for graduates of local yearling sales.

Fancy Drinks, who graduated at second crack for trainer John Coryat, is coming off a third-place finish in allowance company behind Brusque, who stole the Grade 2 Mazarine Stakes in her next appearance.

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