Another money run for Arkhill

EDMONTON, Alberta Arkhill seeks his third straight stakes score as the 123-pound highweight in a field of nine 3-year-olds contesting Saturdays Count Lathum, which is the final Northlands Park stakes prep for the Aug. 23 Canadian Derby here.

The 1 1/16-mile Count Lathum offers a $75,000 purse and drew plenty of interest from Hastings connections, with Malcolm Beveridge saddling the entry of Saratoga Avenue and Valdero, and Terry Jordan shipping in speedster Tigerheat.

Arkhill, locally bred and owned by Ted Davis but based in Vancouver with trainer Craig MacPherson, also knows the road across the Rockies and makes his fourth excursion to Alberta this year. MacPherson has returned to the West Coast with Arkhill following each of his Alberta outings, and it has proved to be a lucrative trail.

Arkhills victories in the Alberta Derby and Ky Alta both came with rallies from just off the pace, and Rickey Walcott will undoubtedly employ a similar stategy on Saturday.

Bet down to even money in the one-mile Ky Alta, Arkhill was a handy two-length winner over Papa Time. Walcott appeared to have plenty of horse left at the wire and a repeat effort appears well within the realm for the gelding, who is 6 for 7 lifetime.

Tigerheat drew the outside post, leaving Quincy Welch little choice but to send away from the gate with the probable pacesetter.