Sales Stakes a battle of maidens

WINNIPEG, Manitoba As four straight race days come to a close with Mondays Labor Day card, the next generation of Thoroughbreds take center stage as seven 2-year-olds that went through a Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society sale last year compete for top prize of the $40,000 purse in the CTHS Sales Stakes. On Tuesday, 41 Thoroughbreds will pass through the sales ring in the annual Manitoba division CTHS yearling sale.

All seven in the six-furlong Sales Stakes are maidens, and the favorite will probably be Bound to Thrill, a closing second versus $15,000 maiden claimers in her only start. Bound to Thrill broke inward in her Aug. 9 five-furlong debut and was last away. She closed the gap and missed by three-quarters of a length. Bound to Thrill will get Lasix for her second start.

Maub makes her fourth start. Her previous starts, all at five furlongs, have been progressively better both in terms of escalating Beyer Figures and faster times. Most recently, Maub was hung four wide around the turn but she managed to get up for third. The addition of blinkers could help Maub get into contention earlier.

Lucky Last Night makes his second start after breaking slowly in his debut and closing a bit in the final quarter, though he still finished seventh and last. The addition of Lasix and a sharp 22.40 quarter-mile work from the gate a week ago may signal readiness for improvement.

* Tuesdays yearling sale is scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. at the Assiniboia Downs grandstand. Sires represented include eight foals by Battle Cat, seven by Going Commando, four by Fabulous Champ, two by Slew City Slew and one by Trajectory, Highland Ruckus, Misnomer, Wheres the Ring, Najran and Freespool. Cam Ziprick has 15 yearlings for sale, nine of his own and six in which he is the agent. Betty Hughes has consigned six, while Kelly Halliday will send five through the ring.