Sir Officer has foes at his mercy

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Sir Officer will be heavily favored Saturday against four other Manitoba-bred 3-year-olds in the $30,000 Manitoba Stakes over one mile at Assiniboia Downs.

A homebred of Phil Kives's K-5 Stables, Sir Officer was 13 3/4-length winner of the Buffalo Stakes in his final start as a 2-year-old, his only previous start against restricted company. Sir Officer finished third as the 3-5 favorite against first-level allowance company in his lone start this year. He was scheduled to race in another first-level allowance June 9, but that race was one of two on the card canceled due to a problem with the track lighting.

Trained by Sylvester Oliverre, Sir Officer has won 2 of 4 starts. His worst Beyer Speed Figure of 55, given for his win against maiden special weight company in his debut last season, tops the best of any other horse in this field. Sir Officer will break from the outside with Mark Anderson aboard for the first time.

The two inside horses and only other winners in the field, Gold Chester and Redna, figure to have the best chance of upsetting Sir Officer.

Gold Chester was an upset winner over maiden special company two starts back. Most recently, he finished 10th in the Golden Boy Stakes. Trained by Harry Kube, Gold Chester will race on Lasix for the first time here. Redna, the lone filly in the field, defeated maiden claimers in her last start.

Jimmijazz and Classy Wrangler round out the field. Both have run three times and failed to hit the board. They were well beaten in the same maiden special weight race last time out.