EDMONTON, Alberta - Gabe's Prospect, winner of the Penny Ridge last month at Stampede Park, takes a three-race winning into the $100,000 Northlands Oaks for 3-year-old fillies here Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile Northlands Oaks also carries a $20,000 bonus for Alberta-breds finishing first, second, or third.
A Maryland-bred owned by Bar None Ranches, Gabe's Prospect also has a maiden victory and an optional claimer in her winning string. Gabe's Prospect is trained by Kelly Grieves and again will be ridden by Quincy Welch.
The field of seven includes Vancouver shippers Starlite Strike, Langara Lass, and Autumn Mist.
Starlite Strike is trained by Robert Van Overschot and is coming off a second-place finish in a Hastings allowance. In her only other outing this season, Starlite Strike was a 1 1/2-length maiden special weight winner.
Langara Lass finished third in the Irish Day Handicap at Emerald Downs last time out. Trainer Grant Forster has named Jake Barton to ride Langara Lass, who earlier finished third in the Supernaturel and fourth in the Langley at Hastings.
Autumn Mist, trained by Lance Giesbrecht, was beaten a neck by Gabe's Prospect in her Northlands debut on July 1 with Real Simard up. Earlier this year in Vancouver, Autumn Mist had a second and a third in optional claimers.
Of the home forces, Mia Cat Dancer looks like a strong threat, having won the Lilac and then finishing third in the Penny Ridge.