Morning-line favorite at 2-1, No Hesitation will break from post 4 in the Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park on Saturday. The 1 3/8-mile feature drew 10 horses, and post positions were chosen by their connections at the Canadian Derby breakfast Wednesday morning.
No Hesitation, trained by Jim Meyaard, has won the last three stakes for 3-year-olds at Northlands. Professor Pollard, also trained by Meyaard, was the first horse out of the box. Owner Hal Veale, acting on advice from Meyaard, chose post 6.
Meyaard was pleased with the draw.
“We wanted to keep Professor Pollard away from the rail, and No Hesitation has enough speed to take advantage of his inside post,” he said.
Professor Pollard came from off the pace to finish second behind No Hesitation in the $50,000 Count Latham on July 31. He was listed at 4-1 in the derby.
Trainer Steven Chircop chose post 7 for Kara’s Orientation, who is the second choice at 5-2. Kara’s Orientation is coming off of a second-place finish in the $150,000 Toronto Cup over turf at Woodbine on July 24.
Owner Curtis Landry opted for post 8 for Ranger Heartley. Landry claimed Ranger Hartley for $62,500 out of a winning race at Del Mar on Aug. 1. He is trained by Rod Cone.
Ranger Heartley looks like the speed of the race, and he used it to win the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate earlier this year.
“The distance is always the deal in this race,” Landry said. “Hopefully, he can carry his speed all the way.”
Last year, Tommy Danzigger led from start to finish in the derby.
Manitoba Derby winner Stachys was halfway between his home base of Canterbury Downs and Northlands when his trainer, Mike Biehler, who was hauling Stachys, selected post 2 by phone.
Distorted Dave, trained by John Sadler, was left with post 10 as the last horse out of the box.
A total of 13 races have been carded for Saturday, including the $75,000 Speed to Spare for 3-year-olds and up and the $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff for fillies and mares. First post is 11 a.m.
