'Banker' shoots for fourth win

EDMONTON, Alberta - Exclusive Banker will seek his fourth win of the year in Saturday's $32,000 optional claiming feature at Northlands.

Exclusive Banker, trained by Dale Greenwood, has won twice for $28,000 and once for $22,000. He also finished a strong third in the Red Diamond Express on Alberta Fall Classics day on Sept. 20.

His chief opposition in this 6 1/2-furlong race will be Fussy's Kid, one of the circuit's most well-regarded sprinters, who was second to Sixthirtyjoe in the Red Diamond Express and lost a photo in an optional claimer in his previous start.

Fussy's Kid, trained by Janet Wig, was third in Northlands Park's other two major sprints, the Journal and the Sun.

Another prime threat figures to be King Jeremy, who was haltered by trainer Rick Hedge out of his last outing when he was third for $28,000.

King Jeremy had won his previous start here, a $35,000 optional claimer, for former trainer Bob Anderson.

Completing the field of eight are Code Name Fred, Alberta's 2000 champion older horse; Born to Be Zak, who won twice this summer for $15,000; Regal Legacy, an optional claiming winner who was a scratch from the Red Diamond Express; Kai Blui; and Superfines Prado.

Also on the program is a maiden special for 2-year-olds in which a field of eight will sprint six furlongs.

Churchbridge, trained by Floyd Arthur, has been second in all three of his starts, each time as the favorite. He will have to contend with J.J.'s Weekend, who is coming off a second-place finish after being third in his previous two tries.