Bubblegum Kid goes for repeat

EDMONTON, Alberta - Bubblegum Kid will attempt to defend his title in the Grade 3, $100,000 Speed to Spare Championship here Saturday.

Trained by Joan Petrowski and ridden by Rickey Walcott, Bubblegum Kid faces eight rivals in the 1 3/8-mile race, including two invaders from Hastings.

Bubblegum Kid appears to be ready for a peak effort in the Speed to Spare after finishing third in the 1 1/16-mile Klondike and second in the 1 5/16-mile Westerner. Walcott also rode Bubblegum Kid in the 2002 Speed to Spare.

Coming from Vancouver are Let's Go Rusty, whose sire, Let's Go Blue, won this race in 1986, and Vernon Invader.

Let's Go Rusty, trained by Dino Condilenios and ridden by David Wilson, won the John Longden 6000 Handicap at Vancouver and was runner-up there in the Grade 3 Lt. Governors'.

Vernon Invader, trained by Alex Murray, is still looking for his first win of the year and is coming off two seconds in 1 1/8-mile stakes.

They Call Me Cody, trained by Dave Toner, figures to be a major threat after capturing the Westerner for his third victory of the campaign. Perry Winters retains the mount.

Monarch Brass has also won three times this year, but against lesser company. Trained by Dale Saunders and ridden by Quincy Welch, Monarch Brass is coming off an optional claiming victory at a mile. Saunders claimed him out of a win for $28,000 here July 1.

Also challenging the top horses on the grounds are Superfines Prado and Regal Ability.