Speedy Treat should get good stalking trip

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Speedy Treat is the one to beat in Saturday's $35,000 Manitoba Maturity at Assiniboia, for 4-year-olds bred in Manitoba going 1 1/16 miles.

Never worse than third in five lifetime outings, Speedy Treat made his first four starts this year for trainer Harry Kube but will be racing for trainer Emile Corbel for the first time Saturday.

Speedy Treat's lone win came in his seasonal bow May 12, and he since has raced competitively in three tries against allowance company, including a second-place finish in his latest here June 30.

Manuel Alicea will ride Speedy Treat, who breaks from post 1 and probably will stalk early pacesetters Cayenne Pepper and U Otabe Wild.

Cayenne Pepper, the lone filly in the field of five, has two wins and two seconds from four starts this year for trainer Ian McDonald. Jacques DesAutels will be aboard Cayenne Pepper, who breaks from post 2.

U Otabe Wild won his first start of the year here May 17 at five furlongs, and all four of his 2002 outings have come against the top local claimers. Trained by Lorna Gray, U Otabe Wild will be ridden by Tim Gardiner from post 4.

G and L Special, trained by Don Korchinski, is the only horse in the field with a win over a distance of ground. All of G and L Special's best races have come at one mile and beyond, and while he has shown little this year in three starts, all sprints, he should enjoy Saturday's longer distance.

Rohan Singh will ride G and L Special, who breaks from post 3.

Budge, a maiden trained by Brent Hrymak, rounds out the field. He will break from the outside with Robert Munoz.

* Twenty 2-year-old fillies have been nominated to next Saturday's $30,000 Debutante Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs. The field will be limited to 12 starters based on earnings at time of entry.