Tweed has all the speed

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Five fillies and mares will try to catch Tweed in Saturday's $5,000 Matron Handicap at six furlongs.

Tweed, a well-traveled 7-year-old, merits top billing based upon her 2-for-2 record at Marquis Downs, with her most recent score coming two weeks ago in the allowance prep for the Matron.

That race was run over a muddy course. Tweed assumed command early in the race, opened up a couple lengths, and was never really challenged while scoring by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:14.10. Tim Moccasin retains the mount.

Bonnie Bo won the season's first filly-mare allowance race at a half-mile, but she couldn't stay with Tweed in their latest match-up and faded to be fourth, 6 1/2 lengths back.

Jockey Serge Rocheleau will have to find a way to get Bonnie Bo to relax and stalk the speedier Tweed, or gun for the lead and hope Bonnie Bo can ride what should be a rail advantage to victory.

The other four entrants would really have to jump up to handle the top pair.

Artic Fox and Molly O'Grady have won claiming races this year.

Molly O'Grady beat $4,000 claiming mares here June 7, while Artic Fox arrives from Stampede Park where she made a whopping seven starts in just 10 weeks. In her most recent effort, on June 13, Artic Fox closed well to beat $5,000 claimers in a decent time of 1:12.30 for the six furlongs.

The field is completed by Compeer's Bequest and Blue Camay, who finished second and third to Tweed last time out and would need a speed duel to enhance their chances of victory.