Bodgits Lady has a lot in her favor

Bodgits Lady could be the lukewarm favorite in the one-mile Alberta Oaks, one of seven $50,000 stakes restricted to Alberta-breds at Northlands Park Saturday.

Trained by Doug MacDonald, Bodgits Lady is coming off a fourth-place finish in the $75,000 Sonoma Handicap and will find this a much easier spot. Her best race this year was in the $71,000 Northlands Park Oaks on July 19 when she finished second. She should appreciate not only the easier company, but with plenty of potential speed in the field, it should set up nicely for her with Jake Barton in the irons.

Cool Synsation is back to defend his title in the 6 1/2-furlong Red Diamond Express. Cool Synsation has only one way of going and it appears he has the best speed in the field. If jockey Real Simard can get him to settle early he could be gone.

Diamond Doc, trained by Albert Strumecki, looks like the main threat. He hasn't won since he beat Teagues Fight in the Sales Stakes on May 23, however.

Cool Kahuna recently won the 1 3/8-mile Speed to Spare, so there is a very good chance he'll be able to stretch out to a mile when he runs in the Alberta Premier's Futurity. He is coming off a front-running win overly heavily favored Tiny Giant in the 6 1/2-furlong Birdcatcher Stakes on Aug. 23. He is conditioned by Cody Anderson.

Tiny Giant is also back on Saturday. He had a perfect stalking trip and had every chance to get past Cool Kahuna in the Birdcatcher but couldn't. Slews Academy made a late move to get up for third and should appreciate the extra distance.

Minimus is back to defend her title in the 1 1/16-mile Fall Distaff Handicap for fillies and mares. Trained by Ron Smith, Minimus hasn't won in three races this year, all sprints, but she is a better horse going around three turns.

Minimus likes to be involved early, however, and she could have her hands full with Victory Romance. Victory Romance is coming off of two dull efforts against Summer Song in the Madamoiselle and City of Edmonton Handicaps.

Trainer Greg Tracy has another good looking 2-year-old filly in his barn, Shifty Time, who is the horse to beat in the one-mile Sturgeon River. Shifty Time cruised to a nine-length win in the filly division of the Sales Stakes on Aug. 15 and has worked well in the interim.

The 1 1/16-mile Beaufort for 3-year-olds wraps up the stakes festival. Cool Diablo and Mr. Shader are both looking to rebound after being outrun in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby.