Scorewithcater coming for Canadian Derby

Scorewithcater heads what is shaping up to be a strong field in the Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park next Saturday. Nominations closed on Wednesday with 19 horses on the list. A full field of 12 is expected to start.

Trained by Doug O'Neill in California, Scorewithcater figures to be a short price in the 1 3/8-mile feature. He beat Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird by a neck in the $100,000 Borderland Derby at Sunland Park in February. In his latest start he finished third in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 18. According to O'Neill, Scorewithcater is scheduled to leave for Edmonton on Friday. When he arrives he will be stabled with leading trainer Jim Meyaard.

A strong contingent from Woodbine is expected to arrive next week. Heading the list is Prince of Wales winner Gallant. Trained by Mark Casse, Gallant will be the top money earner in the field with $402,920, most of which came in the $500,000 Prince of Wales. Casse has also nominated Coffee Bar.

"I am planning on breezing both of them over the weekend, and if all goes well they'll probably both come for the race," said Casse. "Certainly Gallant, who is proven on dirt."

Stylish Citizen will be going for his third win in a row. Trained by John Ross, Stylish Citizen won the $101,000 Charley Barley Stakes on the Woodbine Polytrack June 20 and came back to win a $62,000 optional race on the turf course on July 18.

It Happened Again will also be shipping from Woodbine. It Happened Again was recently purchased by Peter Redekop and will be making his first start for trainer Terry Jordan. In his latest start, It Happened Again finished second in the Grade 3 Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park on July 19.

Both Stylish Citizen and It Happened Again had their final major work for the race at Woodbine Thursday. Stylish Citizen worked a mile in 1:40.80. It Happened Again breezed six furlongs in 1:14.

The best local hopes are Cool Diablo, who won the Count Latham Stakes at Northlands on Aug. 1, and Tease the Tiger, the Manitoba Derby runner-up.

Tommy Danzigger and Almost Time, first and second in the B.C. Cup Stellar's Jay at Hastings Aug. 3, will make the trip from Vancouver along with Senor Rojo.