Sky Promise gets post 4, favored at 2-1 in Canadian Derby

Sky Promise, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, will break from post 4 in the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park on Saturday. The 1 3/8-mile race drew nine horses and will go as the last of 12 races on the final day of Thoroughbred racing at Northlands. There is a $50,000-guaranteed pool for the late pick four.

Sealed envelopes with the horses’ names inside were drawn randomly, and representatives of the horses chose post positions at a luncheon at Northlands on Wednesday. The connections of Sky Promise got first choice. Making the call was Norm Tremblay, one of the owners of the Manitoba Derby winner.

Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Sky Promise likely will be ridden by Rico Walcott. Walcott is also named on the Diodoro-trained Hyndford, who will break from post 3. Both horses are owned by Rick Wiest, Clayton Wiest, R 6 Stable, and Norm Tremblay. Cory Wiest has a share in Hyndford.

Hyndford was the third envelope drawn, with Clayton Wiest making the choice.

“Hard to complain when you get the first and third choice,” said Diodoro.

Hyndford, a two-time winner on dirt, will be making his first start since he finished last in a failed turf experiment in the Mystic Derby at Canterbury Park on June 23.

Sky Promise was an easy 7 1/2-length winner of the Manitoba Derby in his last start on Aug. 6.

“I’ll let Rico decide which one he wants to ride,” said Walcott’s agent, Bob Fowlis. “It’s a tough call.”

Day Raider, the 9-2 third choice, will break from post 7 with Antonio Reyes riding for trainer Craig MacPherson. The Kentucky-bred son of New Year’s Day is coming off a win in the Sir Winston Churchill Derby Trial at Hastings on Aug. 6.

Gem Alta, the last envelope out, will break from the rail with Rigo Sarmiento riding. Trained by Tim Rycroft, he is coming off a third-place finish in the $59,000 Alberta Derby at Grande Prairie on Aug. 5.

Here is the field in post-position order and with jockeys and morning-line odds.
1. Gem Alta, Rigo Sarmiento, 6-1
2. Pickford, Keishan Balgobin, 10-1
3. Hyndford, Rico Walcott, 3-1
4. Sky Promise, Rico Walcott, 2-1
5. Shimshine, Dane Nelson, 12-1
6. Regal Max, Shamaree Muir, 10-1
7. Day Raider, Antonio Reyes, 9-2
8. Fort Mac, Denis Araujo, 20-1
9. Red River Bear, Amadeo Perez, 20-1