MATT'S BROKEN VOW AVENGES OWNER'S LOSS TO TAKE $ 100,000 MANITOBA LOTTERIES DERBY

Named after his son and tied to a previous loss by a nose in the 2006 Manitoba Lotteries Derby with his horse The Max, owner Robert Mitchell was able to score a repeat win with his eastern based three year old Matt's Broken Vow in taking the 2008 renewal of the event by 5 1/4 lengths.  The Mitchell family now has three trophies on the mantle from the pinnacle race of the Assiniboia Downs season from previous victories with Prime Time T.V. in 2005 and Royal Frolic in 1993.

The owner, who was on hand for the event, had high praise for his jockey, Alan Cuthbertson. "I thought he rode a perfect race."

Veteran trainer Bert Blake, who has had a hand in all three victories over the years, indicated that he was confident going into the race. "He won a Grade 3 race at Woodbine so we thought he would do well here."

For winning jockey Alan Cuthbertson, it was a fitting win for the current Downs leading rider on what just so happened to be his birthday. "I couldn't ask for a better present" he quipped.  "This horse didn't feel like much in the mornings, but on race days, he shows up."

After settling just off the pace in the early going, Matt's Broken Vow moved confidently into the far turn to take the lead.  The other eastern invader in the race, Bonanza, tried to rally with him, but it was clear at the top of the stretch that he would be no match.  Under steady urging from Cuthbertson, the son of Broken Vow out of an Assiniboia Down stakes winning mare, Marianka, just pulled away. 

Matt's Broken Vow returned $5.60 to win for a $ 2.00 wager as the second choice in the event.  The 1 1/8 distance was covered in 152.3.

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