Controlled Meeting wins Ky Alta

EDMONTON, Alberta ? Controlled Meeting, bought by owner Rick Wiest in California for $6,500, further confused the picture for the $250,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Aug. 28 by scoring a $21.20 victory in last Saturday?s Ky Alta.

Under Richard Hamel?s urging, Controlled Meeting, unraced until this spring at Calgary, swept into the lead on the last turn and then held off the charging Kat Kool and Ol Fifty in a three-horse photo.

Leanne Painter, sidelined by a wrist injury, gave up two stakes mounts to Hamel and both turned out to be winners ? A Shaky Start in the John Patrick on Friday evening and then Controlled Meeting.

Chief Mtn, purchased for more than $100,000 after he won the Western Canada, was the 3-2 favorite but wound up beating only Alberta Derby winner Fly Esteem in a field of seven, and his route-running ability is now seriously suspect.

Controlled Meeting was one of three winners on the day for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

* A rivalry is building between Alberta?s 2003 champion mare, Sly Lady, and A Shaky Start, who among her six wins last year defeated Raylene twice.

A Shaky Start added another stakes victory over Raylene this spring in the Marc Jenkins, and on Friday won the John Patrick at a mile over the 3-5 Sly Lady.

A Shaky Start and Sly Lady have exchanged triumphs this year, Sly Lady winning the Wild Rose sprint.

A Shaky Start paid $15.60 for her win Sunday.