True Metropolitan in '07 debut

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - True Metropolitan, the 2006 Sovereign Award winner for the best older horse on dirt in Canada, will make his first start of the year in the 6 1/2-furlong George Royal Stakes at Hastings on Saturday.

The $50,000 sprint for 3-year-olds and up drew eight horses, including Spaghetti Mouse, who easily handled True Metropolitan in the British Columbia Cup Classic last year.

A 5-year-old gelding, True Metropolitan won seven stakes last year but he has never won a race that was shorter than a mile in his 23-race career. His trainer, Terry Jordan, thinks that could change Saturday.

"We wouldn't run him if we didn't think he could win," Jordan said. "He's never trained better and I expect him to run a big race."

Quincy Welch will fly in from Alberta to ride True Metropolitan.

Spaghetti Mouse has won sprinting but not since he won a maiden special weight race as a 2-year-old. His most important wins have been at nine furlongs: the Grade 3 British Columbia Derby in 2005 and, last year, the Grade 3 Lieutenant Governors. He's trained by Ned Sams.

My Guy ships in from Southern California where he finished last of five in the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup on April 7. It was his first start since he won the Hoofprint on My Heart Stakes at Stampede Park last May.

My Guy has decent speed, drew the rail, and is the only horse in the field that has started this year. He could pull off an upset.