WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Iwoodificould should be tough to beat when he defends his title in Sunday's $40,000 Free Press Stakes at six furlongs.
Like last year, Iwoodificould won an allowance race here in preparation for the Free Press. In this year's prep on May 21, Iwoodificould defeated Lord Shogun, Sir Pucker, and Northern Affair, all of whom he faces again here.
Trained by Emile Corbel, Iwoodificould will be ridden by Rohan Singh.
ELMONT, N.Y. - The key to handicapping Saturday's $300,000 is figuring out which filly can succeed while running contrary to her preferred style.
Ashado, last year's 3-year-old filly champion, is best as a stalker, but she will likely find herself on the lead in the Grade 1 Phipps, run at 1 1/16 miles over Belmont Park's main track. Daydreaming and Society Selection are closers who will try to win by stalking Ashado. Bending Strings is a sprinter trying to prove she can route. Board Elligible is a closer who simply looks overmatched.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Six weeks have done little to change the racing scene in the local filly and mare division. Five of the eight entrants in Saturday's Grade 2, $300,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs raced in the Grade 2 Louisville Breeders' Cup on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, including its first- through third-place finishers - Shadow Cast, Island Sand, and Storm's Darling.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Saturday's $132,625 Ontario Matron Handicap at Woodbine could play a pivotal role in determining the champion older filly or mare in Canada this year.
One for Rose, who was voted the Sovereign Award for top older female in each of the past two years, was soundly defeated in her 2005 debut in the Hendrie Handicap by the up-and-comer in the division, Nashinda. Both are in the 1 1/16-mile Matron, which figures to be a fascinating matchup.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - When the dazzling 3-year-old Surf Cat trounced older sprinters with a whopping 114 Beyer Speed Figure - running 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.44 - he earned the right to leap directly from a first-level allowance into a Hollywood Park graded stakes.
But when he stretches out for the first time Saturday in the Grade 3 Affirmed Handicap, Surf Cat rekindles a handicapping dilemma for which there is no simple answer - raw ability or established class?
CALGARY, Alberta - Saturday's 75th running of the Alberta Derby carries a $125,000 purse, the richest in Calgary Thoroughbred racing history. A solid field of seven will contest the 1 1/16-mile highlight of the Stampede Park meet.
Prime Time T. V. drew the outside post and arrives from Assiniboia Downs off two impressive sprint victories. A Kentucky-bred colt, he won both races by open lengths and earned Beyer Speed Figures of 96 and 101.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Undefeated Avenging Kat makes her 2005 debut in Saturday's $40,000 CTHS Sales Stakes,
fillies division, at Hastings. The 6 1/2-furlong feature also drew Backseat Becka, last year's local 2-year-filly champ. Backseat Becka comes into the race off a second-place finish in the Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings on May 29. After the Knight and All Round Cowgirl will also attract some attention in the eight-horse field.
AUBURN, Wash. - Sariano and Karis Makaw will lock horns in Saturday's feature at Emerald Downs, a mile race for older fillies and mares to be run under $32,000 optional claiming conditions.
Sariano may be favored in the field of eight off a pair of strong efforts against stakes company. Sariano, a 4-year-old daughter of Rubiano trained by Steve Bullock, finished with a rush to just miss catching Marva Jean in the six-furlong Hastings Park Handicap on May 8.
ELMONT, N.Y. - It appears Afleet Alex will be calling New York home this summer.
Afleet Alex, whose smashing Belmont Stakes victory a week ago followed his acrobatic Preakness score, is one of 12 horses trainer Tim Ritchey is expected to stable at Belmont for the remainder of this meet. Belmont's meet runs through July 24.
The New York Racing Association is working on getting Barn 18 ready for Ritchey's horses. Provided Ritchey is happy with the setup, he said he would send "a mixture of young and old horses" to Belmont for the remainder of the meet.
