Canadian Derby now $300K
The Canadian Derby at Northlands Park, the only graded stakes race in Alberta, has had its purse raised by $50,000 and now is the richest race in western Canada.
This year's Canadian Derby, a 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds, will offer a purse of $300,000, surpassing the $250,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings.
The Canadian Derby had its purse boosted by $100,000 last year and attracted Organ Grinder, a Kentucky-bred who was one of the top 3-year-olds at Woodbine.
"We got a big field and a lot of quality horses," said Fred Hilts, the racing secretary at Northlands.
The purses for 15 other stakes have been increased by $10,000 to $50,000, which will be the minimum requirement for black-type status beginning next year.
Horse Racing Alberta, which regulates and manages the racing industry in the province, provided for the purse hikes with increased slot machine revenue.
The 72-day Northlands meeting, which runs from June 24 through Oct. 29, will offer a record total of $2.17 million in stakes purses.
Northlands will offer two fewer stakes this year, because the two divisions of the Sales Stakes, for older horses, have moved to Stampede Park.
Other significant changes on the schedule involve the Western Canada and Chariot Chaser, 6 1/2-furlong races for 3-year-olds which have been shifted from early July to mid-October.
"We wanted to have something for 3-year-olds later in the year, both the colts and the fillies, going short," said Hilts. "I think we'll get a lot more horses for them at the end of the year."
Distances for three stakes have been shortened, with the Ky Alta going from 1 1/16 miles to one mile and both the Count Lathum and Westerner from 1 5/16 miles to 1 1/16 miles.
2005 Northlands Park stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sat.,June 25 | JOURNAL | 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | $50,000 |
| Fri.,July 1 | WILD ROSE | F&M, 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,July 9 | SPANGLED JIMMY | 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Fri.,July 15 | NORTHLANDS OAKS | 3YO F | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,July 16 | KY ALTA | 3YO | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,July 23 | JOHN PATRICK | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Fri.,July 29 | EDMONTON JUVENILE | C&G, 2YO | 6 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,July 30 | KLONDIKE | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Sun.,July 31 | PRINCESS MARGARET | 2YO F | 6 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Mon.,Aug. 1 | SUN SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP | 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 6 | COUNT LATHUM | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Fri.,Aug. 12 | MADAMOISELLE | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 13 | SONOMA | 3YO F | 1 1/16 miles | 100,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 20 | SALE STAKES | 2YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 20 | SALE STAKES | 2YO C&G | 6 1/2 furlongs | 60,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 21 | WESTERNER | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Aug. 27 | CANADIAN DERBY (Gr. 3) | 3YO | 1 3/8 miles | 300,000 |
| Sun.,Aug. 28 | EDMONTON DISTAFF | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 3 | BIRD OF PAY | 2YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Mon.,Sept. 5 | BIRDCATCHER | 2YO C&G | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Fri.,Sept. 9 | SALES STAKES | 3YO F | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 10 | SPEED TO SPARE | 3YO & Up | 1 3/8 miles | 100,000 |
| Sun.,Sept. 11 | SALE STAKES | 3YO C&G | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | FALL CLASSIC DISTAFF* | F&M, 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | ALBERTA BREEDERS'* | 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 miles | 75,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | STURGEON RIVER* | 2YO F | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | ALBERTA PREMIER'S FUTURITY* | 2YO | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | ALBERTA OAKS* | 3YO F | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | BEAUFORT* | 3YO | 1 1/16 miles | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Sept. 24 | RED DIAMOND EXPRESS* | 3YO & Up | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 8 | FREEDOM OF THE CITY | 2YO F | 1 mile | 50,000 |
| Mon.,Oct. 10 | CANADIAN JUVENILE | 2YO | 1 1/16 miles | 75,000 |
| Fri.,Oct. 14 | CHARIOT CHASER | 3YO F | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
| Sat.,Oct. 15 | WESTERN CANADA | 3YO | 6 1/2 furlongs | 50,000 |
*Alberta-bred