By Allan Gray

The Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G2) – Keeneland, Friday, Oct. 5th

When you look at all of the races this weekend you have to watch Keeneland. They have several graded stakes this weekend including three grade ones, the Darley Alcibiades Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity for 2-year-old colts and geldings, and the Shadwell Turf Mile.

The Alcibiades Stakes is Friday and will showcase 13 of the best 2-year-old fillies in the country including Irish Smoke, the winner of the $250,000 Spinaway at Saratoga and the winner of the $150,000 Arlington Washington Lassie, Dreaming of Liz.

Irish Smoke, trained by Patrick Biancone, is undefeated in two starts at Saratoga , a hot bed of young thoroughbred talent. In the Spinaway Stakes, Irish Smoke was seven lengths behind the leaders midway through the final turn and made a powerful move to run down the leader More Happy and won going away.

The Spinaway Stakes is only six furlongs, however, her running style from off the pace will suit her as she stretches out to the mile and sixteenth. The question might now be can she handle Keeneland’s polytrack? With a bullet work over it on September 21, that would be a definite yes.

Dreaming of Liz comes into the Alcibiades Stakes off two wins at Arlington Park including the Arlington Washington Lassie. Dreaming of Liz, trained by Wayne Catalano, went wire to wire in this mile contest winning by two lengths. Looking like she was going to be collared at the top of the stretch, she found another gear and pulled away for Rasierra.

Her front running style looks to be the only real speed in the race and she has carried that speed over polytrack and over a distance so her competitors will not be able to take her lightly.

Sunday Holiday , trained by Bill Mott, will be stepping up in company after an easy maiden win at the Meadowlands at a mile and seventy yards. Her only other start was second at Saratoga . Her stalking style will suit this race, however, the question remains about the polytrack surface for her.

If you want a sentimental favourite you might go for Rasierra. Rasierra, trained by Ray Tracy, Jr. ran here at Assiniboia Downs in the Debutante Stakes in August where she finished second behind Miss Missile. Since running at ASD, she went to Arlington Park and finished second behind Dreaming of Liz in the Arlington Washington Lassie.

Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (G1) – Keeneland, Saturday, Oct. 6

If you look at last year’s top three finishers in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile you will see that they are the same horses as last year’s Lane’s End top three. That being said you have to watch this race if you intend to be around for the Breeders’ Cup this year.

Another full field of juveniles will be competing for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile since the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity is one of those “Win and You’re In” races for the Breeders’ Cup organization.

Everyone is talking about Wicked Style the winner of this year’s Arlington Washington Futurity at Arlington Park . This 2-year-old son of Macho Uno appeared to be beaten twice in the stretch before battling back both times to top a very game Riley Tucker by a nose. Wicked Style, trained by George Arnold, has the polytrack experience and has the legs to go a distance so he deserves all of the talk.

Slew’s Tiznow , trained by Patrick Biancone, is coming into the Breeders’ Futurity off an impressive win at Saratoga going seven furlongs. This Tiznow colt battled for the lead throughout and then drew away in the final furlong to win by four. He has some impressive works at Keeneland leading up to Saturday and has shown that polytrack should not be an issue.

Tend , a Dynaformer colt, showed professionalism beyond his years winning his only start at Turfway Park . Having to deal with a riderless horse beside him and a well spread out field, Tend, trained by William Mott made up an incredible amount of ground and blew by the leaders in mid stretch and drew away winning at a mile.

Hirsch Memorial Turf (G1) – Oak Tree @ Santa Anita, Saturday, Oct 6

The Tin Man , last year’s winner of the Arlington Million will try to get back to his winning ways in the Hirsch Turf. The Tin Man finished a close second in this year’s Million to Jambalaya. Trained by Richard Mandella, The Tin Man looks to be the class of this field of eight. He has finished first or second in his last nine starts including a second in the $5 Million Dubai Duty Free to David Junior.

The Frizette (G1) – Belmont Park, Saturday, Oct. 6

Sunday Holiday could choose to avoid the two monsters Irish Smoke and Dreaming of Liz and go for the Frizette at Belmont . As of September 29 th, trainer Bill Mott had not moved Sunday Holiday from Belmont Park and that could be an indication she is staying put.

If she stays in New York she will have much easier company on paper. Her main competition will be the Sorority Stakes winner A Little Gem. Trained by Steve Margolis, A Little Gem blew by her competitors with a four wide move in the six furlong Sorority at Monmouth Park last month. The big question will be if she can stretch out?

Bob Baffert’s Indian Blessing, an easy winner in her only start at Saratoga , could also be one to watch.

The Champagne (G1) – Belmont Park, Saturday, Oct. 6

After stumbling twice in his last effort in New York , Lantana Mob won two in a row in New Jersey , the $60,000 Tyro Stakes and the $150,000 grade 3 Sapling. In his last visit across the river, Lantana Mob finished a disappointing fourth place in the Tremont Stake behind Ready’s Image.

In the Sapling, Lantana Mob, a 2-year-old colt by Posse, sat in behind the leaders after moving into position at the top of the stretch and then battled with Preachin Man before pulling away late. His ability to rate behind horses will be an asset as he tries to stetch out.

Ready’s Image , trained by Todd Pletcher, won two stakes in a row before losing to Majestic Warrior in the Hopeful his last out. He won the Tremont Stakes at Belmont and the grade two Sanford at Saratoga . Ready’s Image looked to have the Hopeful won but lost out to a fast closing Majestic Warrior.

Majestic Warrior passed his rivals in the $250,000 Hopeful like they were standing still. Trained by Bill Mott, this undefeated son of A. P. Indy should enjoy the mile distance of the Champagne and only get better.

The Jamaica (G3) – Belmont Park, Saturday, Oct. 6

Nobiz Like Shobiz takes his final prep before his appearance in the Breeders’ Cup in this grade three event on the turf. The winner of the Wood Memorial and the Holly Bull stakes early this year on the Derby Trail, this 3-year-old son of Albert the Great has won two in a row on the turf including the Kent Breeders’ Cup (G3) at Delaware Park and the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) at Saratoga .

Oak Tree Mile (G2) – Oak Tree @ Santa Anita, Sunday, Oct. 7

Lava Man will try and cement his place as a turf horse after dominating the California Handicap scene last year. In his one start on the turf back in June he came out on top in the $300,000 Charlie Wittingham at Hollywood Park .

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.