All nine in Sales have a shot

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - In the fillies division of the CTHS Sales Stakes Saturday, the chances of hitting the triactor by boxing three horses is pretty good. Miss Me Not, Ice Machine, and Excited Miss are standouts.

That's not the case in the 3-year-old colts and geldings division, which goes as the ninth race at Hastings on Sunday. An argument could be made for any of the nine horses entered in the 1 1/16-mile feature, which is restricted to horses that have gone through a Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society sale.

There are two stakes winners in the field, Sungold Wonder and Feu Express, but neither stands out. Trainer Barb Heads said that Sungold Wonder, last year's Jack Diamond Futurity winner, has missed some training and will likely need the race. Actually, Heads prefers her other horse in the race, Almost Par, who finished fourth in a $50,000 optional sprint June 3.

Feu Express, who won the 2-year-old version of the Sales Stakes, will be stretching out for the first time and he's coming off a second-place finish in a $25,000 claiming race May 27.

Clan Chief ran well to finish a fast-closing third in the Import Stakes June 10, and being a half-brother to Lord Nelson, he should get the distance.

Meritocratic posted the field's best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in his win in a $50,000 maiden race and could be the sleeper.