Three-turn Burnaby wide open

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Ten 3-year-olds are entered for the $75,000 Burnaby Stakes Saturday, and with many of them trying three turns for the first time it looks like a wide-open race.

Likely favorite Commodore Craig has never been worse than second, but has never gone this far, and will face early pressure from Test Drive and Silver Donn.

Commodore Craig is out of B.C. Oaks winner Sophie J, and his breeding certainly suggests that he will handle the 1 1/16 miles. But all of his wins have been in gate-to-wire style, and he could be vulnerable with so much other speed in the field. Jockey Chris Loseth is confident that Commodore Craig can carry his speed this distance.

"He relaxed beautifully," said Loseth after Commodore Craig finished second to Salt Grinder in the Klondike Stakes June 2.

In the Klondike, Commodore Craig broke a step slowly and found himself chasing a horse for the first time. "It didn't seem to bother him, and the way he handled it makes me think that he won't have any problems going a distance of ground," Loseth said.

Trainer David Forster has shipped up Joe Gottstein Futurity winner Horatio from Emerald Downs, and he will be coupled with Blowin in the Wind. Bold'n Keen won his maiden by 12 1/2 lengths in only his second start, and will get a serious class test.

The Jones Boy is the only horse to win at the distance this year, and Regal Rebel finished a troubled second in the Alberta Derby June 15. Ascot Graduation winner No Time Flat is stretching out after a good effort sprinting in the Klondike.

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