The Spinmeister looks set to handle mile in Ky Alta

A group of 3-year-olds will take their first serious step toward the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby when they run in the $50,000 Ky Alta Handicap at Northlands on Saturday. The one-mile Ky Alta is the first middle-distance stakes at Northlands this year and should help identify which local 3-year-olds will be moving forward toward the 1 3/8-mile Canadian Derby on Aug. 21.

The Spinmeister, trained by Rob Chabot, will be trying three turns for the first time, and the way he won the six-furlong Western Canada on May 24 suggests he will have little trouble going a mile.

In the Western Canada, The Spinmeister broke alertly under Shannon Beauregard but settled early and had one horse beat, Go Max, after a half-mile. They both started to make their presence known on the stretch turn. The Spinmeister got the jump on Go Max, but it looked like Go Max was going to blow past him in midstretch. Beauregard had a lot of horse left, though, and The Spinmeister was able to repel the bid.

Chabot likes the way The Spinmeister is coming up to the race and said he thinks the horse could have a bright future.

“He was born June 6, so he was still a 2-year-old when he won the Western Canada,” said Chabot. “He’s bred to go long, and he will be a lot more mature if he makes it to the Canadian Derby. He’s training really well right now.”

Beauregard retains the mount.

The Spinmeister and Go Max should appreciate what will probably be a fast and contested pace.

Trained by Joan Petrowski, Go Max also came from well back to finish second in a first-level allowance in his first start this year. In his only try going around three turns, he finished third behind Legend Fortynine in the one-mile Canadian Juvenile.

Legend Fortynine didn’t fire in the Western Canada but rebounded with an improved effort when he finished second to True Thought in an optional $30,000 claiming race June 7. He won three stakes for trainer Dale Saunders last year and could be ready for a peak performance with a solid race behind him.

True Thought looks like the one they will have to catch.

On Andy’s Advice ships in from Charles Town, where he finished second in a first-level allowance going 1 1/16 miles April 29. He won a one-mile, $25,000 maiden-claiming race in his previous start.

Majestic Mark and Private Money complete the field.