by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto , May 3, 2005… A seven-horse field, including a three-horse entry from trainer Bob McIntosh’s stable, will contest the C$83,000 final of the Diplomat Pacing Series for three-year-olds this Friday evening at Woodbine.

Carded as the second dash (8:00 p.m.) on the 11-race docket, the Diplomat – an event restricted to non-winners of $50,000 in 2004 formerly known as the Mohawk Pacing Series – will showcase five horses eligible for the Pepsi North America Cup (June 18 at Woodbine).

McIntosh pupils Stonebridge Regal (PP1, Jack Moiseyev) and Arties Samartie (PP2, Mike Saftic) swept the C$25,000 opening leg on April 22, while the William McNeil trained Lis Mara (PP7, Paul MacKenzie) stepped up last week, going gate-to-wire in the second leg’s lone division.

All three of the preliminary victors will have to contend with I Zee (PP4, Chris Christoforou), the third component of McIntosh’s powerful contingent in the dash.

At this point, it is safe to say that Stonebridge Regal (Artsplace—Lady Johanna) has been the most impressive of the bunch.

Owned by McIntosh along with Robert Kauffman, Angie Stiller and the W Springtime Racing Stable, Stonebridge Regal was dominant in the finale of the Youthful Pacing Series. The bay left from post five, cut a :25.3 opening quarter-mile and led the field to a :54.4 half-mile. After a third quarter breather, the colt unleashed a tremendous :26.4 final quarter kick to post a three-length victory in a stakes record 1:51.1. Over a track rated one second slow in the opening leg of the Diplomat, Stonebridge Regal went to the top early and got the respect on the engine, jogging to a 1:55.2 victory in gate-to-wire style. Having skipped the second leg, Stonebridge Regal, who was unraced as a two-year-old, currently has a 6-2-0 seasonal record and $65,641 in earnings after eight starts this year.

After having not seen the winner’s circle in some time, Arties Samartie (Artiscape—Sammies Cammi) put it all together in the opening leg.

After rating first-up in the final turn, Arties Samartie came on late, collaring fellow stablemate I Zee in the lane for a quarter-length tally in a new life’s mark 1:52. McIntosh owns the bay along with Leo Beaudoin, David Kryway and Leda Farms LLC. The colt failed to hit the board during three starts last year as a two-year-old and this season currently holds a record of 3-2-1 and $28,321 in earnings after seven starts. Just like Stonebridge Regal, Arties Samartie did not participate in last week’s second leg. Mike Saftic has been listed to drive the career winner of $28,511 in purse earnings.

I Zee ( Western Hanover —Firstariseetonight), who had his five-race unbeaten streak snapped in the final of the Youthful, will again be searching for his winning ways.

Owned by McIntosh along with Paul Ysebaert, Clifford Grundy and the CSX Stables, I Zee also skipped the second leg after finishing second to Arties Samartie in the opening round. The colt is another McIntosh pupil who went unraced as a two-year-old. In his seven starts this campaign the bay has raced to a 5-2-0 record and $53,243 in earnings. Even though he was defeated in the final of the Youthful, I Zee raced large that night, overcoming post 10 and losing cover early in the lane to still gain ground on Stonebridge Regal in a wicked final quarter. Chris Christoforou has again been listed to be at I Zee’s reins.

Lis Mara (Cambest—Lisheen) stepped up last week and will have quite a test against the McIntosh entry on Friday.

With Paul MacKenzie in the bike, Lis Mara wired his foes from post seven in the second leg, going on to stop the clock in an impressive 1:51.4, his life’s mark. The colt is owned by Louis Willinger, Saulsbrook Stables Inc. and William Lambeth and raced nine times as a two-year-old, notching a lone win and one second-place finish. This year the bay has raced to a 3-2-0 record and $36,257 in earnings after five starts. Mackenzie has again been listed to perform the driving duties and the duo will leave from post seven.

Absolute Hall (Cambest—Armbro Spring) is the last of the Pepsi North America Cup eligibles in the field. The colt is trained by conditioner by Ben Wallace for his partner, Joie De Vie Farm. The bay raced to a 2-2-1 record in his five starts as a two-year-old and has a lone place finish after his five starts this season.

The complete field is as follows:

Head # – Horse – Post Position – Listed Driver – Trainer

1 – Stonebridge Regal – (pp1) – J. Moiseyev – R. McIntosh
1A – Arties Samartie – (pp2) – M. Saftic – R. McIntosh
1B – I Zee – (pp4) – C. Christoforou – R. McIntosh
2 – P H Breakaway – (pp3) – L. Ouellette – K. McMaster
3 – Absolut Hall – (pp5) – M. Baillargeon – B. Wallace
4 – Great Again – (pp6) – J. Jamieson – W. Elliott
5 – Lis Mara – (pp7) – P. MacKenzie – W. McNeil