Bell n' Gone is the class of this field

EDMONTON, Alberta - Trainer Ron Grieves would have preferred to see Bell n' Gone competing for a larger purse than the $22,500 offered in Friday's featured fifth race here at Northlands Park.

The $50,000 Beaufort, one of seven Alberta-bred stakes slated for Alberta Fall Classic Day here Sept. 23, would have looked appealing, but Bell n' Gone is Ontario-bred and shows up in the only spot available to him.

Bell n' Gone, second to Halo Steven in the Alberta Derby and narrowly beaten by Bear Character in the Ky Alta, stands out in this allowance field of six 3-year-olds going a mile.

Bell n' Gone was well-beaten in the Canadian Derby, but the 1 3/8 miles was a tall order, and he fits the conditions of Friday's race perfectly. Regular rider Rickey Walcott is aboard and should be able to fashion a pressing trip from post 2.

Arizona Drifter, who showed speed in the Sales Stakes at Hastings in June prior to shipping to Edmonton, is the likely pacesetter, but Bell n' Gone can be expected to be in close attendance early.

Competitive in allowance sprints here since his arrival, Arizona Drifter stretches out for trainer Lance Giesbrecht and breaks from post 3 under Leanne Painter.

Napinowaan, who showed promise in the spring meet at Stampede Park but has not done well this meet, drew post 5 and will be ridden by Daniel Boudreau.