Talent deep in 8-horse sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - I'm the Tiger and My Cousin Matt, the third-place finisher in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint, head an accomplished eight-horse field in Wednesday's feature, a six-furlong allowance for non-winners of $45,660 in 2005.

I'm the Tiger, a speedy Stronach Stable runner, won the 2004 Bold Venture Handicap, but he bypassed this year's renewal of that race on Saturday. He hasn't started since winning a 6 1/2-furlong allowance Oct. 3, when he received a big 107 Beyer Speed Figure.

Regular rider Todd Kabel has the mount on I'm the Tiger, who is making his first start for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. I'm the Tiger drilled a half-mile in a bullet 47.40 seconds on the main track Friday.

My Cousin Matt was an $85,000 claim by owner Richard Englander in 2002. He won the Grade 2 General George Handicap in 2003 and lost by just two lengths to champion sprinter Speightstown in the Grade 1 BC Sprint last Oct. 30 at Lone Star.

But My Cousin Matt's current form is suspect. He was seventh after a troubled trip in the Sunshine Millions Sprint in January at Santa Anita, and eighth in March in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Most recently, going 7 1/2 furlongs June 11 in the Ack Ack Handicap at Hollywood Park, he finished last in a nine-horse field that included such quality runners as Congrats and McCann's Mojave.

My Cousin Matt was recently transferred from trainer Jeff Mullins to Scott Fairlie. "I'm just getting to know him," Fairlie said. "His form speaks for itself. He's run against some of the best sprinters."

Other contenders in Wednesday's race include Chris's Bad Boy, My Lucky Strike, and Krz Ruckus.

Chris's Bad Boy, Woodbine's six-furlong track-record holder, snapped out of a slump three weeks ago, winning an $80,000 allowance/optional claimer.

My Lucky Strike ran second to a sharp Ministers Wild Cat in his 2005 debut, a $100,000 optional claimer. Last time, he moved to the turf for the Grade 3 Highlander Handicap, and ran fourth behind Soaring Free.

Krz Ruckus, the lone millionaire in the lineup, was recently second over a lightning-fast track in a Fort Erie allowance. The winner, High Blitz, lowered the six-furlong track record that day, timed in 1:08.35.