Defending Champ Soaring Free Heads Shakertown

Soaring Free, a three-time Canadian champion, made his 2004 and 2005 debuts in the Shakertown Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland and won both times. He figures to do the same thing this Friday against 11 rivals.

The millionaire son of Smart Strike has all the bases covered. He's not only a Canadian Horse of the Year, but a champion sprinter and champion grass runner. Since the Shakertown is on grass and at 5 1/2 furlongs, and since Soaring Free is starting closest to the hedge, look for him to come charging out under John Velazquez.

Mighty Beau, by Rainbow Prospect, also has Shakertown experience. He ran second last year and in 2002. He comes in from Santa Anita, where he last ran second in a turf allowance. Rene Douglas rides him for the first time since 2003.

Yucatan comes in for the Shakertown off a pair of wins this year in as many starts. The son of Favorite Trick started off with a score at Turfway's Forego Stakes, then won at Mountaineer Park. Greg Schaefer rides.

Onthedeanslist also figures to make it interesting because he's dropping down from a close effort at 1 1/16 miles. The son of Honor Grades just missed winning the Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIIT) by a neck in what has been his sole start this year. Corey Lanerie rides again.

Shakertown Stakes
Race 7 Post Time 4:15

Post/Horse/Jockey
1 Soaring Free, John Velazquez
2 Mighty Beau, Rene Douglas
3 Man Of Illusion, Julien Leparoux
4 Sgt. Bert, Rafael Bejarano
5 Justice for Auston, Mark Guidry
6 Mad Adam, James Graham
7 Yucatan, Gregory Schaefer
8 Parker Run, Jesus Lopez Castanon
9 Onthedeanslist, Corey Lanerie
10 Atticus Kristy, Garrett Gomez
11 Il Capriccio, Jason Lumpkins
12 Around the Cape, Cornelio Velasquez
AE Social Probation, Javier Castellano
All Carry 119 Pounds