Stake action continues at the Loop

This weekend, the next leg of the Golden Boy and Silk Lace stakes is slated on the program at Canada’s newest harness racing track, the Loop.

RACE 1: GOLDEN BOY STAKE – $7,608 

1. Supa Fast (6-1)
2. Irish Luke (2-1)
3. Ak Eagle (7-1)
4. Braxtons Boy (3-1)
5. Baylor Bobby (4-1)
6. Fan C That (5-1)

I will continue to stick with Braxtons Boy (Whosurboy) even though it has been some time since he has visited the winner’s circle. His last win came in the MSSBA Futurity elimination back on Aug. 26, and he put up his lifetime mark of 2:03.4. Braxtons Boy has come up short in the MSSBA Futurity Final and the Manitoba Great Western Stake. I firmly believe that Braxtons Boy’s day will come, and will be one of the top three-year-olds in Manitoba.

I will go off a hunch and say the Fan C That (Armbro Baylor) will find a way to finish near the top in this race. He got his first win on Sep. 16 but has had a tough time returning to the winner’s circle. He paced his only win in 2:06.1, but he has been improving that time each week since. If Darryl Mason can steer Fan C That into a good position early, I believe he will finish just behind Braxtons Boy.

Baylor Bobby (Armbro Baylor) started his time at the Loop hot but has cold off as of late. He can proudly boast that he won the first-ever race at the Loop, but he has continued to fall short since then. He teams up with Clayton Braybrook this weekend, and the two will look to get things back on track. Baylor Bobby finishes better when he is teamed up with Braybrook, and the two will round out the triactor ticket.

My Picks: 4-6-5

RACE 4: SILK LACE STAKE – $7,671 

1. Ak Nite Lady (2-1)
2. Pixie Chick (6-1)
3. Palmers Puddin (7-1)
4. Shirley Scooter (5-1)
5. Littlebittybaylor (4-1)
6. Ak Black Badger (8-1)
7. Maching Millions (3-1)

Post position has never been an issue for Maching Millions (Andreoli Hanover), and it won’t be again for her on Saturday. She won the first leg of the Silk Lace in 2:02.3 and came from post position eight. This time, she gets a bit of relief but will still have to do some work if she wants the early lead. She had a string of three straight wins before moving up in class and facing some of the most challenging horses at the Loop. Now, Maching Millions returns to the three-year-old filly class and will be looking to get back to her winning ways.

The morning line odd favourite, Ak Nite Lady (Andreoli Hanover), draws the rail, and that will provide a significant advantage at Canada’s newest harness racing track. She has finished in the top three all but once in 2023. Ak Nite Lady finished third in last week’s MSSBA Futurity Final. She kept up with the winner, Looeymagooey, but was passed by Braxtons Boy late. She won her start before that in 2:06.0 but will need to go faster in this one if she wants a chance.

Shirley Scooter (Youshouldseemeknow) has only one to her credit so far, which came last week. Don Howlett is now listed as the trainer, and sometimes, a change like that is all that is needed to spark a horse. She has shown glimpses to this point but nothing concrete enough to have complete confidence that she will win. Put some money on her to show, which will likely pay more than $2.10.

My Picks: 7-1-5

The first race at the Loop kicks off at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink