Fancy As eyes 1st win since return

EDMONTON, Alberta - Fancy As will take another step on the comeback trail when he faces

five adversaries in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile Klondike Handicap at Northlands. The $40,000 Klondike, for 3-year-olds and upward, will ring down the curtain on Klondike Days.

But racing will continue through the long weekend, with the 6 1/2-furlong Princess Margaret for 2-year-old fillies Sunday and the 6 1/2-furlong Sun Sprint Championship for 3-year-olds and upward Monday.

Fancy As, Alberta's 2001 horse of the year, is trained by co-owner Red Smith. Fancy As, a Manitoba-bred, beat only two horses in the 1 1/16-mile Spangled Jimmy here July 10, and finished third when he opened his campaign in the six-furlong Free Press at Assiniboia Downs.

Fancy As, with Richard Hamel up, drew the rail for Saturday's race.

The only speed in the race appears to be Vancouver invader Lord Shogun, who has post 5 with Quincy Welch aboard.

Lord Shogun, the lightweight at 113 pounds, has failed to hit the board in three outings this year.

Trying to emerge from a serious bout of "seconditis" is Rindanica, who has been runner-up in five consecutive races, all of them stakes, although in the Stampede Sprint Championship he was moved up on a disqualification.

Perry Winters retains the mount on Rindanica, who is co-topweighted with Fancy As at 118 pounds.

Bubblegum Kid boasts a pair of wins this season, in the Herald Gold Plate and an optional claimer. Rickey Walcott gets the call.