Atlantic Chinook looks strong

The Sales Stakes, restricted to horses who went through the ring at the Alberta yearling sale last summer, will be featured on Saturday's program at Northlands Park in Edmonton.

The 6 1/2-furlong Sales Stakes, with one division for fillies and the other for colts and geldings, will go as the last two races on the nine-race card and each offers a guaranteed purse of $60,000.

The fillies are up first, and Atlantic Chinook, who drew post 1, looms a standout. Atlantic Chinook, trained by Kelly Robinson and ridden by Ron Blinston, finished second in her lone start, which came over 5 1/2 furlongs at Northlands on July 26.

Freetoleave, the gelding who beat her that day, has come back to romp as the favorite in the six-furlong Edmonton Juvenile.

Apilonia was third behind Free to Leave and Atlantic Chinook after setting the pace in her only start, and she looms a dangerous opponent. She is trained by trainer Greg Tracy.

The colts and geldings division of the Sales drew a field of 10, five of whom are winners.

Howsitgoinghotshot, who graduated first crack out in a six-furlong maiden special at Northlands, has the rail for trainer Robinson, and Quincy Welch has the return mount.

Hurricane Tiki was beaten a neck by Howsitgoinghotshot while also making his debut, and is a threat to turn the tables under new rider Shannon Beauregard.