Arthur tries to continue his hot run

CALGARY, Alberta - Sweet Drummer, from the high-percentage barn of Floyd Arthur, heads a field of 10 older runners in Saturday's fifth race, for $28,000 claimers.

A 5-year-old gelding, Sweet Drummer seeks his second straight victory after dispatching similar company in wire-to-wire fashion here April 16 under Leanne Painter, who retains the call.

Sweet Drummer was never threatened in that six-furlong sprint, contested over a muddy surface that he obviously relished, and Arthur wheels him right back at the same price and distance.

Cee El and Intore, the two-three finishers in that April 16 race, will try Sweet Drummer again Saturday.

* Arthur captured Wednesday's feature with Executive Time, who was ridden by Real Simard. Simard won four of the eight races on the midweek program.

Executive Time, an Alberta-bred filly, was prominent throughout and came back on in the stretch after being headed by Targestina, who had slipped through on the rail turning for home.

The victory was the sixth from 13 starts this spring for Arthur, who earlier in the day nominated his good older mare Northern Neechitoo to the M.R. Jenkins Memorial here May 9.

Among Northern Neechitoo's expected rivals in the $40,000-guaranteed sprint over six furlongs are Raylene, named Alberta's horse of the year following her outstanding 2003 campaign, and A Shaky Start, voted top Alberta-bred of last year.

The Jenkins closed with 12 nominations.