Shanghied meets softer

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Shang-hied faces his easiest task since winning his maiden here on May 29 in Sunday's $40,000 Harry Jeffrey Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles.

Shanghied was last seen finishing third as the 2-5 favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Manitoba Derby, behind Royalty Boy and Skipper.

Royalty Boy was scheduled to run the Canadian Derby on Saturday at Northlands Park, while Skipper has been sold to interests in the Far East.

Trained by Bert Blake, Shanghied dueled throughout in the Manitoba Derby when suffering his first defeat here, and could face pace pressure again, from Shady Light and Picador Kat.

Prior to the derby, Shanghied won both the Golden Boy Stakes and the Derby Trial Stakes here.

Shanghied will break from post 2 with Travis Hightower in the irons.

Picador Kat topped a first-level allowance field in his latest start, as the heavy favorite on July 30.

Before that, Picador Kat, a Richard Hollet-trained gelding, finished fourth in the Derby Trial, 12 3/4 lengths behind Shanghied.

Picador Kat starts from post 5 under Jerry Pruitt.

The closest Stonewall Harris has finished to Shanghied was third, beaten 7 1/4 lengths in the Golden Boy.

Stonewall Harris, a colt trained by Harry Kube, was beaten double-digit lengths by Shanghied in both the Manitoba Derby and Derby Trial. He breaks from the rail with Larren Delorme aboard.

Coal Smudge has also been well-beaten by Shanghied the three times he has faced him. Trained by Caesar DeMarni, Coal Smudge starts from post 4 with Paul Leacock up.

Shady Light, a winner over low-level claimers in his last two starts, rounds out the field.