Chief Mtn goes long in Ky Alta

Chief Mtn, purchased privately after romping in the 6 1/2-furlong Western Canada on July 1, will be stretching out for the first time when he faces six rivals in Saturday's $40,000 Ky Alta at Northlands Park.

The 1 1/16-mile Ky Alta will be a barometer for local 3-year-olds eyeing the Grade 3, $250,000 Canadian Derby on Aug. 28, the 1 3/8-mile race that is the showpiece of the meeting.

The final Canadian Derby prep, the 1 5/16-mile Count Lathum, will be run Aug. 7.

Real Simard retains the mount on Chief Mtn, who now is owned by Dany Dion and trained by Dale Greenwood.

Chief Mtn led throughout the Western Canada. In his previous start, he rallied from off the pace at Stampede Park, missing by a neck to Saturday opponent Fly Esteem in a six-furlong allowance.

Fly Esteem has been inconsistent this spring, following up that opening victory with a pair of indifferent efforts and then winning Stampede's 1 1/16-mile Alberta Derby at 40-1.

Sent off at 3-2 in the Western Canada, Fly Esteem stalked the pace of Chief Mtn but came up empty and finished fourth. Perry Winters has the call for the first time.

Making his first start since the June 19 Alberta Derby will be Kat Kool, who was soundly beaten there as the 5-2 choice. Kat Kool entered the Alberta Derby in search of his third straight score, including the one-mile Hoofprint on My Heart Handicap in his previous start.

Quincy Welch retains the mount on Kat Kool, who gets Lasix for the first time in the Ky Alta.