Champion defends his stakes title

EDMONTON, Alberta - True Metropolitan defended his title with a dominating performance in last Saturday's $100,000 Speed to Spare here at Northlands Park.

Just four other older horses opposed True Metropolitan, a 1-5 favorite who extended his win streak at this course to five.

All of those wins came under Quincy Welch, who had the 5-year-old gelding on cruise control throughout the 11-furlong race.

"My horse was very keen to go on, but he relaxed when nobody challenged us early," Welch said.

True Metropolitan, voted champion older horse in Canada last year, had his ears pricked on the lead through moderate early fractions of 25.00 seconds and 49.20, and the outcome was never in doubt after that as he romped to a 10-length victory. Test Boy rallied from last place to post a neck decision over Trick of the North in the photo for place money.

Trainer Terry Jordan flew in from Vancouver to saddle True Metropolitan, a Florida-bred son of Proud and True who earned $60,000 for owner Bob Cheema to increase his 2007 bankroll to $318,240.

* On Friday, rider Richard Mangalee earned his first Alberta stakes victory aboard Minimus ($4.30) in the $50,000 Sales Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Minimus, trained by Red Smith, posted a 4o1/4-length tally over Bear Nobility.

* On Sunday, the 3-year-old colts and geldings division of the Sales Stakes was captured by Kadence ($7.70), who prevailed by a head under jockey Stephan Heiler.