By Allan Gray

Raven Run Stakes (G2) – Keeneland – Saturday, October 20

With the Breeders’ Cup just a week away you are going to see some of the best second tier 3-year-old fillies in this event. Seaside Affair, trained by John Sadler, blew away her competition in the $125,000 Torrey Pines at Del Mar in early September. Seaside Affair was able to relax in second early while the leader, Ask Sam, opened up a ten length lead going into the far turn.

Seaside Affair picked up ground with every stride midway through the turn and blew by the leader turning for home. The Sea of Secrets filly could not be caught and won by an impressive four lengths.

Super Freaky , trained by Doug O’Neil, has the class edge in this field having run in six graded events at Hollywood and Del Mar since April of this year. The Smart Strike filly looks to have more success on the grass and she has been close against tougher company.

Her Majesty comes into the Ravens Run off a disappointing finish in the grade one Prioress Stakes at Belmont where she stumbled at the start. Prior to that, Her Majesty, trained by Pat Biancone, had a second at Keeneland and a win at Churchill. Last year Her Majesty finished third in the Darley Alcibiades behind Bel Air Beauty at Keeneland and made an appearance in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She runs well fresh, so not starting since July should not put her out of it.

Pattison Canadian Internations (G1) – Woodbine – Sunday, October 21

Besides the Breeders’ Cup, no other race attracts more attention from those across the pond than the Pattision at Woodbine. Being one week from this year’s Breeders’ Cup, the field is an eclectic mix of talented horses.

Irish Wells is coming into the Pattison off a win in the Prix De Deauville in France , a group two event. Trained by Francois Rohault, the 4-year-old son of Poliglote has two graded stakes wins and ten top three finishes. Irish Wells finished second to Breeders’ Cup Turf favourite Dylan Thomas in the Prix Ganay back in April.

Coming into the Pattision with a win streak on the line will be Britian’s Ask and Germany ’s Quijano both having won two in a row. Ask, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, won the group three Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot in his last out. Peter Schiergen’s Quijano comes off a group one win in the Preis von Baden.

The American interest is Sunriver a 4-year-old son of Saint Ballado. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Sunriver finished a close fourth behind Jambalaya in the Arlington Million in August and has since finished second in the grade one Man O War stakes at Belmont . The probably speed, Sunriver is four of six in the money this year.

The flag bearer for Canada will be Sky Conqueror, the two-time winner of the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Turf. Sky Conqueror, trained by Darwin Banach, is the only returning competitor having finished third in the Pattison last year.

Centennial Oklahoma Derby – Remington Park – Sunday, October 21

Super Derby winner Going Ballastic tries to make it two derbies in a row. Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Going Ballastic came from last to chase down a very game Grasshopper in winning the $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs in September.

You might remember Grasshopper from his dramatic stretch duel with Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense in the Travers at Saratoga .

Early in the year, Going Ballastic finished fourth behind Curlin in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

Forty Acres who finished seventh in the Super Derby might have an easier go at it this time. Trained by Jorge Lara, Forty Acres looks to be the only speed in the race and could be in control turning for home.

Allan Gray is the Media & Promotions Coordinator for Assiniboia Downs. He has a long family connection with Manitoba horse racing and is son of trainer Clayton Gray.