Fancy As won't see prime foe

CALGARY, Alberta - Fancy As will continue his march toward the $100,000 Alberta Derby in Sunday's one-mile Hoofprint on My Heart, which drew a field of six 3-year-old colts and geldings.

The final stakes prep for the June 16 Derby, Sunday's race lost a bit of its luster when Manitoba-based Corporate Shuffle, the champion juvenile in that province last year and the only horse to have defeated Fancy As, failed to ship in for the $30,000 handicap.

It now appears doubtful that Corporate Shuffle will come for the Derby, leaving Fancy As holding all the aces heading into his final tune-up. His two triumphs this spring have come with Richard Hamel sitting still in the irons.

Fancy As, who will be the 122-highweight, at this point dominates his division. Trained by R. K. (Red) Smith, he has yet to be seriously tested during a winning streak that now numbers six. He was last defeated at the hands of Corporate Shuffle in the Graduation at Assiniboia Downs last July.

Fancy As again figures to be kept in reserve early, with the pace likely to be provided by Boldanzar and recent maiden winner Age of Silence.

Undefeated Sixthirtyjoe has impressed in two scores here this spring and can be expected to track the early leaders. The colt has displayed plenty of raw talent while running a bit greenly and gets his test against the best here.

Rounding out the field will be Kid Copper, who ran very well while winning by 5 1/2 lengths in his first try at a mile, and. Delta Epsilon, second to Kid Copper that day after making a bold move at the quarter pole.