Stakes triple on tap

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Three stakes will be run on Monday's Labor Day program here at Assiniboia Downs.

The Distaff Stakes, for Manitoba-bred fillies and mares, goes at one mile.

There also will be two divisions - one for each gender - of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Sales Stakes for 2-year-olds who went through the 2003 Manitoba sale. Both of those races go at six furlongs.

Each stakes carries a purse of $40,000.

Winner of the 2003 Distaff Stakes, Pete's Surprise is the one to beat again this year. Trained by Jack Robertson, Pete's Surprise just missed winning the 1 1/16-mile Winnipeg Sun Stakes in her most recent start on Aug. 1.

Pete's Surprise, who will break from the outside post in the field of five under regular rider Ken Hendricks, won the one-mile Canada Day Stakes here three starts ago.

Trick Question, the only winner in the field of six, is the one to beat in the filly division of the CTHS Sales Stakes.

Trained by Lorna Gray, Trick Question defeated maiden special company in her only start on Aug. 10. Tony Matteucci retains the mount.

Your Excellence appears to be the one to beat in the colts and gelding division of the CTHS Sales Stakes, which attracted a field of eight.

Trained by Emile Corbel, Your Excellence has won two of his three starts and finished second in the other under regular rider Vince Guerra.

Your Excellence defeated maiden special weight company to begin his career on July 2, then won the restricted Frank Arnason Sire Stakes on July 31 before finishing second in the restricted North Dakota Stallion Stakes on Aug. 22.

The 2004 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Manitoba yearling sale starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on the first floor of the Assiniboia Downs grandstand.