Tracy holds pair of aces for Sales Stakes
Greg Tracy trained the winners of six of the first eight stakes at Northlands Park this year, and there is a strong chance that he will win both divisions of the $50,000 Sales Stakes for 3- and 4-year-olds on Friday.
Capitalism, in the colts-and-geldings division, and Queenoftheforest both figure to be short prices in the 6 1/2-furlong sprints restricted to horses foaled in Canada who went through a Canadian Thoroughbred horse sale where the full commission was paid.
Capitalism was heavily favored to win the colts-and-geldings division as a 3-year-old last year, but after dueling through quick interior fractions, he couldn’t fend off Legend Fortynine, who got up in the last jump to edge him by a nose.
Capitalism is the speed of the speed in this year’s edition, which goes as the third race, and he is coming off a sharp front-running win in an optional $35,000 claiming race June 11. The runner-up was the Grade 3 winner Killin Me Smalls, who was voted the champion older horse in Alberta last year.
Capitalism earned a career-best 83 Beyer Speed Figure for his strong performance. Tracy is expecting another big effort from him Friday.
“He is doing really well right now,” said Tracy. “He earned a big number for his last race, and he had been injured and was coming off a layoff when he lost by a nose last year.”
Quincy Welch picks up the mount from Dane Nelson, who rides Centrefire for Tracy in the five-horse field.
“Capitalism is the better horse, but if they get carried away early, Centrefire could pick up the pieces,” said Tracy.
The only horse who could put any early pressure on Capitalism is Holler at the Moon, who forced a quick pace before losing by a head to Keene On Demand in a $17,500 claiming race in his first start of the year May 21.
Capitalism drew the rail, though, and if he breaks alertly, he is probably gone.
Queenoftheforest will also be breaking from the inside post with Welch aboard in the fillies’ division, which drew five horses and goes as race 5.
Queenoftheforest romped in the Sales Stakes last year and comes into Friday’s race off an easy front-running win in an optional $35,000 claiming race June 10. Similar to Capitalism, she received a career-best 72 Beyer, and if she comes close to earning the same number Friday, she will win.
Tracy was pleased with her sharp four-furlong move in 46.60 seconds on June 23.
“My only concern is that she has hopped at the start in a few of her races, and she could be in trouble if she does that leaving from the rail,” said Tracy.
The main threat comes from Blameitontheknight, who won the Alberta Oaks for trainer Dale Saunders last year. Blameitontheknight, a daughter of Sharp Humor, is coming off a third-place finish in the one-mile John Patrick on June 18.