Nominations for the 96th running of the $200,000 Grade 3 Canadian Derby closed with 17 horses, 16 colts and geldings, and one filly. The Derby will be a rematch between the one-two finishers in the Manitoba Derby, Take Charge Tom and Attack, where the former was disqualified and placed sixth, elevating Attack as the winner. The colt by Munnings now has two wins with $141,286 in earnings and is eligible to compete for the Western Canadian Derby Series bonus of $100,000 if he can sweep the Canadian Derby (G3) and British Columbia Derby (G3).
An interesting nomination to both the Derby and the $100,000 Century Casino Oaks is the Wesley Ward trainee, Running Away. The three-year-old filly by Gun Runner is coming off a one-and-one-quarter length score in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.
The Century Casino Oaks closed with 10 nominations including local standout, Gee I’m Foxy and Manitoba invader, Welcometohollywood, who comes off a win in the Manitoba Oaks. The $75,000 Northlands Distaff for older mares garnered 14 nominations and will pit local phenom, Big Hug, against the British Columbia invader and 2024 Century Casino Oaks winner, Avana. Rounding out the four featured stakes is the $100,000 Dale “the Colonel” Saunders Speed to Spare Championship for the older horses with 15 nominations.
Century Mile has the horseplayer in mind for next Saturday with a $25,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-5 and a $50,000 Guaranteed Late Pick-4 to test their handicapping skills. Fans who can’t make the races live but can make it to one of the many Off Track Betting locations throughout Alberta will have a chance to win a wager on the Late Pick-4 as well as receive a souvenir baseball hat brought to you by Horse Racing Alberta.
Canadian Derby week festivities kick off on Saturday, August 16, with a 7:30 am morning preview of select stakes nominees. The Derby post position draw and luncheon will follow on Tuesday, August 19, at 12:30 p.m. on the second floor (racing entrance) of Century Mile and will also be broadcast live on the Century Mile YouTube page. On Wednesday, August 20, the annual Canadian Derby Golf Tournament will take place at Red Tail Landing Golf Course, with proceeds benefiting the Horse Racing Alberta Backstretch Foundation. Friday evening racing will begin at 6:15 pm and showcases the $50,000 Princess Margaret Stakes and $50,000 Canadian Juvenile for two-year-old Thoroughbreds, as well as the Bank of America Challenge for older Quarter Horses. Doors open on Saturday, August 23 at 3:00 pm, with first race scheduled for 4:45 pm.
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