Century Mile Racecourse will host the $20,000 Maiden Express Stakes (not black type) on Saturday's race card.

© Century Mile Racecourse

By H. David Smith, StallioneSerarch

EDMONTON, ABMAY 21, 2025–A promising group of maiden Quarter Horses will line up for a chance at victory in Saturday’s $20,000 Maiden Express Stakes (not black type) at Century Mile Racecourse, headlined by the top three qualifiers: Tincture of Time, Inseperable Cruise, and Starr of the Show.

The 350-yard sprint, carded as Race 2 with a post time of 5:15 p.m. (MDT), showcases a field of six 3- and 4-year-olds that advanced from trials held earlier this month. While none of the entrants have yet found the winner’s circle, several appear poised to break through in Saturday’s dash.

The 5-2 morning-line favorite is Tincture Of Time, a 3-year-old filly owned by Jerry Stojan and trained by William Leech, who is off to a hot start at the meet with a 50% win rate. Tincture of Time broke through in the May 9 trial, outdueling fellow finalists to win by a nose while earning a 64 speed index.

Sired by leading sire Favorite Cartel and out of the prolific mare Ynot Bar, the California-bred filly was a $39,000 purchase and appears to be putting things together at the right time. She broke her maiden in the trials under Rider Ricardo Moreno who will be back aboard, and a similar trip could land her in the winner’s circle again.

Homebred Alberta contender Inseperable Cruise, listed at 3-1, will look to improve on a solid third-place finish in the May 9 trial where he closed strongly to miss by only a neck. Trained and owned by Tom Kenway, the 3-year-old gelding by Bd Cruiser has been knocking on the door with six starts under his belt and may be due for a breakthrough.

Jockey Martin Ortiz retains the mount after piloting the gelding in all six starts. If the gelding can avoid trouble early, his experience and closing ability may give him an edge in the final yards.

Rounding out the top trio is Starr Of The Show, the 4-1 third choice, shipping in from the Southwest with a background that includes efforts at Zia Park, Ruidoso Downs, and Sunland Park. Though still a maiden after six starts, the New Mexico-bred filly showed promise in her Century Mile debut, finishing fourth in the May 9 trial despite a troubled break.

Trained by Misael Moreno for owners Ralph Danard and Carrie Suitor, the daughter of First Moonflash has faced tougher fields in the United States and could benefit from that seasoning. Jesus Ambrocio Medina will ride as the filly seeks a clean start and stronger finish.

The rest of the lineup includes Hi Hopes (10-1), a 14-start maiden owned and trained by Wesley T. Oulton, who finished a distant fifth in the May 9 trial; Stayin On Corona (12-1), trained by Harold Wippert, Jr., showed early speed last out before fading late and must improve her late kick; and Western Lillie Rey (15-1), a lightly raced 3-year-old filly who was well beaten in the trial and will need a big step forward to contend.

With three well-matched contenders at the top and a stakes purse on the line, the Maiden Express Final promises an exciting showdown of developing runners looking to make their mark.