Melmich seeking repeat win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Melmich, who packs a powerful closing punch when he’s on his game, will try to win the Grade 3, $125,000 Dominion Day Stakes for the second year in a row on Saturday.

Melmich, 6, has evolved into Woodbine’s leading stayer since trainer Kevin Attard claimed him for a mere $20,000 in 2014. After capturing the 1 1/4-mile Dominion Day last year, he won the restricted Elgin Stakes before chasing a sharp Scuba home in two marathons in the U.S.

Melmich circled five wide from the back of a six-horse field to win his season opener, an optional claimer, going away. The dominating performance exceeded Attard’s expectations.

“I wasn’t sure he was quite that ready to run that kind of a race,” Attard said. “It was great to see. He had a great winter in Ocala and came to me in good shape. We started breezing him here. He obviously came to hand pretty quickly.”

A field of seven was drawn for the Dominion Day, which heads an 11-race Canada Day card that also includes the Ontario Damsel and Zadracarta stakes.

Melmich, by Wilko Last 3 Beyers: 95-85-94

◗ Attard said Melmich has trained forwardly heading into the Dominion Day, including a five-furlong work in 59.40 seconds last Saturday.

“He had a good breeze,” Attard said. “This year, I think he’s a little bit bigger and a little more mature.” Are You Kidding Me, by Run Away and Hide Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-83

◗ Canada’s champion older male runner in each of the past two years, he won his season opener in the allowance prep for the Eclipse Stakes before losing the Grade 2 Eclipse by a neck after an eventful trip. Trainer Roger Attfield said he’s looking for another strong showing from the venerable 7-year-old, who will have Alan Garcia in the saddle again.

Scuba, by Tapit Last 3 Beyers: 92-78-100

◗ The Kentucky shipper is a genuine stayer. He finished just behind Breaking Lucky in third in last year’s Dominion Day, then won the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup at Parx and the Grade 2 Marathon at Santa Anita.

◗ Trainer Brendan Walsh is taking the blinkers off after freshening him since a disappointing two-race spring campaign.

Gigantic Breeze, by Giant’s Causeway Last 3 Beyers: 90-89-77

◗ The late bloomer has won three in a row since being gelded, including two 1 1/16mile allowances. The longer distance may not be a problem, but the 4-year-old could be outclassed in his first stakes assignment since his juvenile season.