'Devil' takes class drop in claimer

EDMONTON, Alberta - Awesome Devil drops in for a $17,500 claiming price Friday in search of his first victory of the season on Northlands Park's penultimate card of 2005.

A homebred 4-year-old trained by Garry Marks for Jeannine and John Richardson, Awesome Devil missed by a nose two starts ago against $22,000 claimers at Friday's one-mile distance. Awesome Devil drew the rail in a field of nine with Mike Iammarino aboard.

Devil's Nugget, claimed by Rick Weist for $13,000 in his last outing, will try tougher company in his bid for a fourth triumph this year. Devil's Nugget was claimed in his first race at Northlands after shipping from Assiniboia Downs, where he defeated $12,500 company. Leanne Painter will ride.

Curious Gamble, with Real Simard up, comes into Friday's race off two victories, one for $13,000 and the next for $17,500.

Brass Boots comes into this race with two straight wins, for $10,000 and $13,000. He gains a new rider in Shannon Beauregard.

Also boasting two wins this year against lesser claimers is Free Pour, who will be ridden by apprentice Nadia Dohnalova.

Sir Pucker, with Ron Blinston, is also stepping up after winning his first appearance here for $10,000 at a mile. Like Devil's Nugget, he is a recent arrival from Assiniboia Downs.

Chain Reprisal, trained by Darcy Hawkes, won for this price three starts ago after running third for $22,000.