Gilkyson once again looks strong

EDMONTON, Alberta - Trainer Don Gilkyson, who won two stakes on Alberta Fall Classic Day, deals from a strong position once again with his uncoupled pair of Pickinontheolbanjo and Guitars N Cadilacs in Friday's feature here at Northlands Park. The one-mile nonwinners-of-three allowance is restricted to 3- and 4-year-olds.

Pickinontheolbanjo, a 3-year-old hombred son of Banjo, was fourth to Teagues Flight in the Beaufort and draws the rail with regular rider Desmond Bryan up.

Guitars N Cadilacs, a 4-year-old who faded after making the lead against tough older rivals in the Alberta Breeders' Handicap, drew the outside post in the field of eight and will be away and winging under Perry Winters.

* The local juvenile stakes schedule wrapped up last weekend with a pair of mild upsets.

On Saturday, Winters turned in a ground-saving ride down the backstretch aboard Dawn of Fame ($9.40) and rallied four wide turning for home to run down Sturgeon River winner Hail to Dawn for a 1 3/4-length victory in the $50,000 Freedom of the City. Dawn of Fame, a British Columbia-bred daughter of Katahaula County trained for True North Stable by Bruce Phelan, ran the mile in 1:41.60.

On Monday, rider Dave Wilson employed a similar strategy aboard Hastings invader Sin Toro ($13.90) to run down longshot Footprint in deep stretch for a neck victory in the $75,000 Canadian Juvenile.