'Fargo' sharp as favorite
SASKATCHEWAN, Saskatoon - Fargo Forbes, winner of two stakes races here, will face nine foes in Saturday's seven-furlong Prairie Lily Sales Stakes, including three Alberta shippers.
The $22,500 Prairie Lily, the richest race of this meet, is restricted to graduates of the 2003 Saskatchewan yearling sale. Colts and geldings carry 122 pounds, and fillies carry 119.
Fargo Forbes has been the favorite in all three of his starts and lost just once, against maidens in his first appearance, when he ran second. In his subsequent starts, Fargo Forbes led every jump of the way to win both the Saskatchewan Futurity and the Western Heritage versus Saskatchewan-bred colts and geldings.
Top jockey Serge Rocheleau retains the mount on Fargo Dancer, who is the field's top earner with $17,190.
Rumbeau Ruckus, Chipaway, and Bleu Royale all arrive from Alberta and should make their presence felt.
Rumbeau Ruckus won at Northlands in her second start, closing from fourth in a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs. In her only race since then, on Aug. 1 in the $40,000 Princess Margaret, Rumbeau Ruckus finished fourth over six furlongs.
Chipaway has a second, a third, and a fourth from her three starts, all versus $10,000 claiming maidens. She should be forcing the pace early.
Bleu Royale, out of local star Daisy, has started just once, in Edmonton, and he closed 3 1/2 lengths down the lane to get up for second at 3 1/2 furlongs.
Other local entrants to watch are Royal Reblar, the lone horse to beat Fargo Forbes; Lambrose, second in both stakes races to Fargo Forbes; and North Park, who was gaining steadily in the Heritage and was third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Fargo Forbes.
* The annual Canadian Thoroughbred Saskatchewan yearling sale will be held Sunday afternoon with 29 horses consigned. In 2006, there will be a new race for 3-year-olds who went through this sale.
Stallions represented include Arctic Blitz, Castle Arms, Devonwood, Future Storm, Groundstroke, Insistent Beat, Just a Cat, Pole Position, Private Joe, Satellite Signal, Shaheen, Slew Express, Stop the Stage, and You've Got Action.