Matt's Broken Vow, a romping winner of the Manitoba Derby in his last start, has been installed as the 9-5 choice in the $300,000 Canadian Derby (Can-III) at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta, Aug. 23.
A field of 10 3-year-olds will contest the 1 3/8-mile dirt event with the Toronto-based Matt's Broken Vow the slight pick over Texas Wildcatter, who is pegged at 5-2 on the morning line.
"He ran so well in the race in Manitoba and (the Canadian Derby) is very nice to win," trainer Josie Carroll said of Matt's Broken Vow in explaining her decision to ship across the Prairies for the Canadian Derby.
Matt's Broken Vow captured the Marine Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine May 17 by a half-length. After a fifth-place finish in Woodbine's Victoria Park, the stalking Matt's Broken Vow drew off in the lane for a 5 1/4-length triumph in the Aug. 4 Manitoba Derby at Winnipeg's Assiniboia Downs.
The Kentucky-bred son of Broken-Vow—Marianka, by Ascot Knight, is the only starter in the Canadian Derby field to win two stakes at one mile or more this year. He has won three of eight lifetime starts with a second and two thirds for earnings of $199,218. Matt's Broken Vow sold for $60,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Texas Wildcatter finished a neck behind the winning Spaghetti Mouse in his most recent start, the British Columbia Cup Classic at Hastings Park Aug. 4.
Trained by Troy Taylor, the Kentucky-bred Monarchos colt is looking for his first stakes victory for owners Glen Todd and Patrick Kinsella. Texas Wildcatter was beaten a nose by Visionaire in Aqueduct's 1 1/16-mile Gotham (gr. III) March 8. He ran third in the Whirlaway prior to that.
Reel Prime invades from Washington off a second-place stakes effort for trainer Alan May.
$300,000 Canadian Derby (Can-III, Race 10, 4:42 p.m.), 3-Year-Olds, 1 3/8 Miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, ML Odds
1. One Only (KY), Stephan Heiler, 6/1
2. Royal Hudson (KY), Richard Harvey Hamel, 20/1
3. Bears Tiger (KY), Quincy Welch, 12/1
4. Matt's Broken Vow (KY), Emile Ramsammy, 9/5
5. Reel Prime (KY), Pedro V. Alvarado, 5/1
6. Cool Ventura (AB), Real E. Simard, 25/1
7. Papa Time (KY), Jake Barton, 8/1
8. Saratoga Avenue (CA), Mario Gutierrez, 25/1
9. Texas Wildcatter (KY), Chad Hoverson, 5/2
10. Discreet Commander (KY), Constant Montpellier, 10/1
Each assigned 126 pounds.
Matt's Broken Vow has been installed as the 9-5 choice in the Canadian Derby (Can-III).
