Joan Petrowski seeks to become the fourth female trainer in the 78-year history of the Canadian Derby (Can-III) to win the event when she saddles the morning line favorite Footprint Aug. 25 at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta.
Seven 3-year-olds, including California invaders Amazin Blue and Rage Till Dawn, have entered the 1 3/8-mile dirt track event worth $300,000.
The local favorite is Footprint. The chestnut gelding attempts to win his third in a row after consecutive wins in the Ky Alta and the Count Lathum. He drew the first post position for Jockey Real Simard and goes into the race as the 5-2 early choice. First place is worth $180,000, making this the richest race in Canada west of Ontario.
A win for Simard would be his second in the Canadian Derby. He won before with A Fleets Dancer.
Californian Amazin Blue goes into the race as the third choice at 7-2 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who selected post position 4 after winning the first draw.
Amazin Blue is looking for an Alberta double, having beaten Footprint by half a length in the Alberta Derby June 16 at Stampede Park in Calgary. In his only other race since then, however, he finished seventh by eight lengths July 7 at Del Mar.
B.C.’s Ookashada is listed at 9-2. The leading money-winner in the field with $280,479 for owner Mike Boylan will start from the outside.
Manitoba Derby winner Weather Warning will warrant plenty of consideration at 3-1. Rage Till Dawn (4-1) finished second in the Manitoba Derby for Northern California trainer Clay Brinson.
PP. Horse, Jockey, ML Odds
1. Footprint (KY), Real E. Simard, 5/2
2. Greenwood Meadow (KY), Stephan Heiler, 20/1
3. Weather Warning (KY), Alan Cuthbertson, 3/1
4. Amazin Blue (KY), Quincy Welch, 7/2
5. Rage Till Dawn (CA), Tyler Baze, 4/1
6. Gandolf (KY), Jake Barton, 15/1
7. Ookashada (BC), Pedro V. Alvarado, 9/2
Each assigned 126 pounds.