Connections enjoy big day at Northlands

For the second year in a row, trainer Cody Anderson and owner-breeder Abe Brewster had a productive Fall Classic Day at Northlands Park on Saturday. Last year, they won three of the seven stakes races on the card. On Saturday, two of their horses came back to win, including Cool Ventura, who easily won the Alberta Breeders Handicap for older horses, the first of seven stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds. They also finished second with Cool Kahuna in the Alberta Premier's Futurity. All of the races were worth $50,000.

With Real Simard in the irons, Cool Ventura came from last to win going away. His final margin of 4 3/4 lengths was flattering to Slews the Standard, who set the pace and held on to finish second.

Cool Ventura paid $2.50 as the heavy favorite. Final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.60.

The trio of Anderson, Brewster, and Simard won the Red Diamond Express with Cool Synsation, a full brother to Cool Ventura. Leading every step of the way, Cool Synsation defended his title in the sprint for 3-year-olds and up. He also was sent off as the favorite and paid $4.10. Final time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:17.00.

Rimard, the all-time leader in wins on Fall Classic Day, also rode Lemon Pepper to a win in the 1 1/16-mile Alberta Oaks. Trained by Pam McDougall, Lemon Pepper paid $6.40.

Tiny Giant cruised to an easy seven-length win in the Alberta Premier's Futurity. With leading rider Rickey Walcott aboard, Tiny Giant forced the early pace set by Cook Kahuna. He took the lead at the quarter pole and then was in hand while drawing off in the stretch. Trained by Joan Petrowski, Tiny Giant paid $4.30.

Victory Romance, $12.50, was the biggest-priced winner of the seven stakes. Ridden by Quincy Welch, she came from just off the pace to win the Distaff for older fillies and mares by two lengths. She is trained by Floyd Arthur.

Trainer Greg Tracy saddled the first two finishers in the Sturgeon River. Heavily favored Shifty Time, ridden by Quincy Welch, was an easy winner six-length over Happy Island in the one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies. Shifty Time paid $2.90.

Mr. Shadar closed out the stakes festival with a win over Bronze Barbarian in the 1 1/16-mile Beaufort for 3-year-olds. Trained by Rick Hedge and ridden by Rico Walcott, Mr. Shadar paid $7.70.