Canadian Derby tops Northlands schedule

The Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby headlines 36 stakes totaling $2.08 million at the 2010 Northlands Park meet. The 1 3/8-mile derby is the richest race in Western Canada and the only graded race at Northlands, which runs from May 14 to Oct. 11.

The $75,000 Speed to Spare, for 3-year-olds and up, and the $75,000 Edmonton Distaff, for fillies and mares, will support the Canadian Derby. Both are the premier races for their divisions. The 1 3/8-mile Speed to Spare had its purse reduced $25,000 from last year.

The $50,000 Sonoma, which was the richest race for 3-year-old fillies in 2009, also had $25,000 cut from its purse. The Sonoma is set for Aug. 22.

Next to the Canadian Derby, the biggest event at Northlands is Fall Classic Day. The 14th edition is scheduled for Sept. 18. Fall Classic Day comprises seven stakes restricted to Alberta-breds. All seven races are worth $50,000.

Changes from last year's schedule include the dropping of a couple of early stakes - the Presidents for 3-year-olds and the Mount Royal for 3-year-old fillies. Also cut from the schedule were both divisions of the 4-year-old Sales Stakes. Instead, both Sales Stakes for 3-year-olds have been turned into races for 3- and 4-year-olds. They are scheduled for Oct. 2.

Northlands ran 40 stakes totaling $2.37 million in 2009.