$125,000 Alberta Derby the richest of 14 stakes

The $125,000 Alberta Derby, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, is the richest on a slate of 14 stakes races scheduled for the 2006 Stampede Park meeting in Calgary, Alberta.

The Penny Ridge, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies, is the second-richest stakes on the menu at $75,000, a $25,000 increase from last year.

The only other change on the stakes schedule involves the Duchess of York and the Herald Gold Plate, both of which are listed at $50,000 but will offer bonus money of up to $20,000 to Alberta-breds finishing in the top three.

Stampede Park has been open for training since late January, and the clockers checked in on March 1.

Russell Armstrong, who has taken over as racing secretary, said there were about 1,100 horses on the grounds as of Monday, just shy of the 1,132 capacity.

The 47-day Stampede Park meeting will run from March 31 through June 18.