Birdcatcher matches familiar foes

EDMONTON, Alberta - Monday's 57th running of the $50,000 Birdcatcher Stakes for 2-year-olds here at Northlands continues a budding rivalry between stakes winners Bear Character and Teagues Fight.

Bear Character, owned by Danny Dion, and Teagues Fight, owned by Rocky Mountain Turf Club, will meet for the third time as part of a field of nine sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.

Bear Character, a Kentucky-bred, was defeated by Teagues Fight in his debut, but gained revenge by winning the Edmonton Juvenile in July. Teagues Fight finished fourth in that race.

Teagues Fight returned to the winner's circle two weeks ago when he won the Sales Stakes, to which Bear Character was not eligible.

Rickey Walcott rides Bear Character and Ron Blinston will be aboard Teagues Fight.

Trainer Dale Greenwood will send out an entry with Bear Trieste, another Kentucky-bred, joining Bear Character. Bear Trieste won his debut and finished sixth in the Juvenile. His rider will be Mike Iammarino.

Coming off victories are Bell n' Gone, who won a maiden special weights affair, and Justcallme-casper, who won for $25,000.

Drawing the rail is the Joan Petrowski-trained Duvernay Dancer, who also defeated the $25,000 kind.