Ruby’s Big Band, who recorded her fifth local victory when promoted to first via a disqualification in the one-mile Assiniboia Oaks, looms the one to beat as she moves out to 1 1/16 miles for Saturday’s Jack Hardy Stakes.
The Jack Hardy, a $30,000 race for 3-year-old fillies, attracted a field of five and Ruby’s Big Band drew the outside post.
Ruby’s Big Band, trained by Charlie Smith, had led to midstretch in the Assiniboia Oaks but was unable to contain the rallying Rime Ice, who drew out to score by 1 1/4 lengths. But then Larren Delorme, aboard third-place finisher Honorable Lady, claimed foul against Rime Ice for interference in early stretch. The stewards allowed the claim and Rime Ice was placed third behind Honorable Lady, with Ruby’s Big Band inheriting the top prize.
Rohan Singh was notching his third Winnipeg win aboard Ruby’s Big Band, and he returns Saturday. He also also had guided Ruby’s Big Band to a nose victory in a 7 1/2-furlong allowance prep for the Assiniboia Oaks,
Honorable Lady, who has come out on the short end of five of her six encounters with Ruby’s Big Band, also will be back for the Jack Hardy.
Trained by Tom Gardipy Jr., Honorable Lady did defeat Ruby’s Big Band in the six-furlong Chantilly on June 18 and again looms the filly to fear most. Delorme retains the mount on Honorable Lady.
Also returning from the Assiniboia Oaks are fourth-place finisher Roma Tomato and sixth-place finisher Gorgeous Goomah.
Roma Tomato, who had been beaten a nose as the runner-up in the prep, was steadied down the backstretch in the Oaks and finished well. Roma Tomato has upset possibilities at Saturday’s longer distance.
Gorgeous Goomah, who ended 6 3/4 lengths back in the Oaks, looks to be a fringe player at best.
Rounding out the field are Song of Katewpa, who is coming off a third-place finish behind males while competing under first-level allowance terms at six furlongs.
