Dynamic duo should win another

CALGARY, Alberta - The combination of trainer Red Smith and rider Quincy Welch, runaway leaders in their respective races as this 47-day stand begins to wind down, was never more evident than in last week's Hoofprint on My Heart Handicap.

A major stakes prep for the June 19 Alberta Derby, the Hoofprint on My Heart went to Kat Kool, trained by Smith and ridden by Welch.

The duo hook up again in Sunday's featured eighth race, a maiden special weight that attracted nine 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs for a $15,800 purse. Smith saddles Boston Bar, a promising Kentucky-bred who was bet down to even money in his seasonal debut here May 8 off a string of solid works.

Boston Bar ran well, coming on again after Little Grizz unleashed a visually impressive move down the backstretch and ran right on by turning for home. The decision went to Little Grizz by a half-length, but the grit displayed by Boston Bar should stand the gelding in good stead here Sunday.

Boston Bar drew favorably, breaking from post 2 under Welch, and should be forwardly placed early.

Boston Bar and Welch, in pursuit of his second consecutive riding title at the spring stand, can expect a challenge from Tycoon County, who closed very strongly in deep stretch last out.

In that race, contested over a sloppy surface that favored speed, Hot Talk opened up a huge lead and Tycoon County missed by just a length. He was in front two jumps past the wire.