Robertino Diodoro, one of North America’s top trainers and a Canadian-born horsemen who loves returning to his homeland, has entered two three-year-olds in Monday’s $125,000 Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia Downs. The Manitoba Derby, at 1 1/8 miles, is the first leg of the Western Triple Crown which will award a bonus of $100,000 for any horse that can win the Manitoba Derby, Canadian Derby (G3) and BC Derby (G3).
Diodoro, who has won the Manitoba Derby four times including last year with Red Knobs, has the even-money morning line favourite, HEROIC MOVE (Quality Road – Family Tree by Smart Strike) in the 10-horse field, race 7 on the holiday Monday card at the Winnipeg track. Heroic Move, purchased privately by Arnold Bennewith, Rick and Clayton Wiest from breeders Gary and Mary West following the colt’s fourth start in June at Churchill Downs when he finished third to eventual graded stakes winner Scotland, recently was a close third in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. The colt earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure from the Iowa Derby.
Rico Walcott, who is doing well in his first year riding at Woodbine, is coming into town to ride Heroic Move, who will start from the rail post.
Diodoro and the Bennewith and Wiest team also will start B MINOR (Mendelssohn – Tocame Linda by Speightstown), who has been third or fourth in his last four races in allowance company at Churchill Downs, Keeneland and Oaklawn. The chestnut colt will have blinkers on for the first time and Jorge Carreno will ride.
There are two invaders from US entered in the 75th Manitoba Derby. TSHIEBWE, previously trained by Todd Pletcher, starts for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Craig Smith. The Race Day colt just won his maiden by seven lengths at Ellis Park with a 77 Beyer Figure.
NEIGHBOR, a son of Good Samaritan, was claimed for $50,000 from a race at Churchill Downs on May 28 by Willow Creek Farms and Fabio Chiesa. The gelding won his maiden for $30,000 claiming on April 29 and was recently seventh. He is a first-time gelding for the Derby and Dane Nelson will ride.
From the local group of horses, Derby Trial winner SAXON SAGA is a likely pace runner for trainer Wendy Anderson and double stakes winner Chicago’s Gray, who faded to fourth in the Trial, will try the longer distance again with Stanley Chadee riding for trainer Murray Duncan.
Post time for the Manitoba Derby is 10:05 p.m. Central.
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