'Ding Dong' victorious in Beaufort

EDMONTON, Alberta - Canadian Derby glory eluded Ding Dong Dandy, but the 3-year-old gelding cashed in by taking the Beaufort on the ninth annual Alberta Fall Classics program at Northlands Park on Saturday.

The $50,000 Beaufort, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, was one of seven stakes races for Alberta-breds on the Saturday card.

Ding Dong Dandy had to be satisfied with second money behind Vancouver invader Alabama Rain in the Aug. 27 Canadian Derby, but he had things all his own way in the Beaufort.

His triumph by 2 3/4 lengths capped a double for Bar None Ranches and trainer Ron Grieves, who also recorded a huge upset in the $75,000 Alberta Breeders with Fuhr Ore, who stunned the 1-2 favorite, Beau Brass.

Jockey Stephan Heiler gave Ding Dong Dandy ($4) a stalking trip behind dueling Out Cattin' and Northtown Will, then pulled away at will turning for home.

Ding Dong Dandy had caught everyone's attention by charging late at 21-1 in the Canadian Derby, and he was 2-1 in the Beaufort.

* Trainer Floyd Arthur scored his 10th Fall Classic success by sending out S.L. Charmer at 14-1 under Rickey Walcott to take the $75,000 Fall Classic Distaff by three-quarters of a length over Banjo Babe. Walcott also won with Kaylee's Magic in the Sturgeon River. Speedy Gone Sally won the Alberta Oaks, and her full brother, Teagues Fight, won the Premier's Futurity.