Stallion stakes, Admiral cruises, talking the talk and
more
STALLION STAKES ELIMS: Brother Brass and Red Star
Apache each won an elimination leg of the Stallion Stakes
for three-year-old colts and geldings last Saturday.
They each prevailed in a field of five (in a non-betting
race) to lead the way into the final which will be held
Sunday, Jan. 20 for an estimated purse of $62,500.
Wild Dunes Stables' Brother Brass, a son of Scruffy
Hanover, made it two straight wins, and four in 11 career
starts, covering the mile in 1:59.3 for driver Jim Burke and
trainer Sten Ericsson. Red Star Gramps was second and Just
Invincible third.
Robert Murphy's Apache, a son of Safe N Rich, ran his
record to two wins and a third in three career starts, with
a win in a lifetime mark of 2:00.1 for trainer/driver Rene
Goulet. Red Star Camelot was second and Furness Abbey third.
Others in the final will be El Rosal and T K Domi along
with one of Dal Reo Clipper or Masterofmydomane who will
draw for the ninth spot.
Meanwhile, there were only nine entries for the fillies
so all advanced to the $68,500 final on Saturday, Jan. 19.
The field includes Hippie Chick, Millbanks Counsel, Dal
Reo Damsel, Papas Reflection, Dal Reo Santoy and the entry
of Red Star Majesty, Red Star Katie, Red Star Charming and
Red Star Dahling.
ADMIRAL CRUISES: Red Star Admiral ran his
consecutive winning streak to seven Sunday by capturing the
winners over feature race. Robert Murphy's Admiral, a
five-year-old son of Storm Prince, covered the mile in
1:57.1 over a good track for driver/trainer Bill Davis.
However, the streak of Nazko Promise, ended Sunday when
he lost by a half length to On The Alley. Promise, the
four-year-old son of As Promised, had won five straight,
including the Breeders Stakes for owners Sunbury Stables and
driver/trainer Dave Jungquist.
WAY TO GO SHELLY: Congratulations to Shelly Plant
who is the latest IGA Market Place Groom of the Week. Shelly
works for the Glenn White stable.
TALKING THE TALK: Be sure to tune in to CKNW
Sports Talk on Sunday from 10 to midnight when Tommy Wolski
of the Sport of Kings TV show; Chuck Keeling, general
manager of Fraser Downs; and driver Tim Brown will be the
guests of host Brook Ward as they discuss harness racing.
THE DAVIS STORY CONTINUED: Bill Davis had that
tough start to 2002 (a spill on New Year's Day) but that
failed to stop him from sharing leading driver stats for
last weekend. Davis had four wins on Sunday for a total of
six, the same as Jim Burke. Alberta's Serge Masse, fresh
from an Arizona holiday, had four wins (in two days) along
with Tim Brown. Davis now has 93 wins for the meet while
Brown is next at 67. Davis and Scott Cisco each had five
victories to lead the trainer's stats.
Masse returned to Edmonton last Sunday to get his
daughters back to school but promised he would be back for
this weekend along with four more horses to join the 16 he
already has at the Downs under the care of Scott Cisco.
Masse also said he would bring starry four-year-old Tajma
Hall if he is feeling good. Masse said he would then train
Tajma Hall here in preparation for the Alberta meet in March
-- and a race here might happen.
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