Full gate possible for derby

EDMONTON, Alberta - Fifteen 3-year-olds have been nominated to the $250,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park Aug. 28. The Grade 3 Canadian Derby will be run over 1 3/8 miles.

If more than 12 enter the Canadian Derby next Wednesday, then preference will be given to stakes winners. Second priority goes to stakes-placed horses. Finally, earnings will come into play.

Organ Grinder, owned by S and B Stable, trained by Sid Attard, and ridden by Jim McAleney, is scheduled to come here from Toronto, while seven horses have been nominated by Vancouver interests.

Organ Grinder is coming off an allowance victory, and in June won the Victoria Park.

Overact, the filly who won the Sonoma Stakes here, is nominated. She could be the third straight filly to win the derby. Her Vancouver-based trainer, David Forster, also has nominated the colt Cariboo Prospector.

Other invaders from the West Coast are Joy Ride, Proud Son, Tobe Suave, and Lord Samarai.

Leading the Alberta-based horses are Manitoba Derby winner Royalty Boy; Kat Kool, who won the Count Lathum and Hoofprint on My Heart; and Controlled Meeting, winner of the Ky Alta. The other Alberta-based horses nominated are Bonspiel and Tamingo.

Alberta-owned Plenty of Heat has been racing in California, where he won a $50,000 claimer in June.

Tales of Glory, trained by Todd Pletcher, has won his last two, at Saratoga and Belmont.