BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Uncle Kef will try to join a long list of 17 Florida-bred winners of Woodbine’s Victoria Stakes when the bay son of Uncle Chuck goes postward in Sunday’s renewal of the CAN$125,000 test for 2-year-olds run at five-and-a-half furlongs on the all-weather main track.

Previous Florida-bred winners of the Victoria include Mensa in 2024, Big Drink of Water (2018), Conquest Whiplash (2013), Madam Diaries (2010), Olredlgetcha (2009), Southern Exchange (2008), Flamenco (2004), El Ruller (2002), Erlton (1998), Torgan (1997), Gomtuu (1995), Dances With Fire (1992), Honey’s Answer (1984), Solo Guy (1980), Ring Francis (1966) and Bright Object (1965).

Owned and trained by Kevin Rice, Uncle Kef makes his second career start Sunday after winning a four-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight on synthetic at Presque Isle Downs on June 8. With Carlos Barbosa riding, Uncle Kef came from third after going wide and losing momentum on the turn to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths in :52.71.

Uncle Kef has produced three solid works at Presque since, the most recent a four-furlong breeze in :46 on July 26, the third fastest of 20.

Uncle Kef is out of winning Florida-bred mare Alexandra Kay, by Factum and he was bred in Florida by Kevin Alexander Rice. A win in the Victoria by Uncle Kef would garner the breeder a $4,000 Export Incentive check paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

Barbosa has the return mount on Uncle Kef from post three and they are 6-1 on the morning line.

Trainer Barbara Minshall trains 2-1 morning line favorite Uncle Dodo, who was third in his only race, a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight at Woodbine on June 14.

Uncle Dodo was off a step slow that day and finished only a half-length behind winner American Pope and a head off runner-up Titan Ready, who also returns for the Victoria for trainer Sid Attard.

Uncle Dodo will be ridden by Rajiv Maragh from post five while Titan Ready has the inside post and jockey Fraser Aebly.

Rounding out the field are Hesatopper with Pietro Moran taking the riding assignment, Frost Rocket will have Emma-Jayne Wilson up, Rafael Hernandez guides Klassen and Merckx will have Jose Campos in the saddle.

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