Wild Legend out to prove Beaufort romp no fluke in Friday feature

Trainer Dale Saunders was on the fence about whether to run Wild Legend in a $35,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds Friday night at Northlands Park or in the $50,000 Harvest Gold Plate for 3-year-olds and up Monday.

If Wild Legend runs in Friday’s feature, he figures to be favored over Private Money Game in the one-mile race, which drew six horses. Influencing the trainer’s decision is that Scott Williams, who rode Wild Legend to wins in his last two starts, won’t be available Monday. Instead, Williams will be riding Deadly Truth in the $100,000, Grade 3 Premiers at Hastings.

Wild Legend is coming off a 17 1/2-length romp in the $48,620 Beaufort Stakes for Alberta-breds on Sept. 20. His final time of 1:44.81 for the 1 1/16-mile race was just less than two seconds faster than Barfly’s Survivor posted in winning the $48,620 Alberta Breeders’ for 3-year-olds and up in 1:46.63.

Saunders thinks Wild Legend’s best days may be in front of him.

“He’s still not where I would like him to be,” said Saunders. “He needs to put on another 100 to 150 pounds. Someday, he is going to be a big, strong horse.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Wild Legend (Last 3 Beyers: 86-72-46)

◗ He didn’t beat much, but he couldn’t have been more impressive in winning the Sir Beaufort. He came back with a sharp half-mile move Oct. 2 and appears to be primed for another big effort.

Private Money Game (Last 3 Beyers: 72-60-62)

◗ He should appreciate being back with his own age group after finishing second in a $35,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds and up Sept. 19.

◗ Trained by Linda Kropius, he finished third in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby two starts back and has been a gem of consistency, with a 4-5-3 record from 14 starts this year.

Zdeno (Last 3 Beyers: 68-75-57)

◗ Trained by Jim Meyaard, he is undefeated in six starts at Assiniboia Downs and could be ready for a peak effort in the third start of his current form cycle.

◗ For the most part, he has been winning races restricted to Manitoba-breds and will get seriously tested for class in a race that came up pretty tough for this level.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, leading rider Rico Walcott has won with 34 percent of his mounts for Meyaard at Northlands.

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