Golden Hunt must be caught

CALGARY, Alberta - Eight older horses, including stakes winners Golden Hunt, Eternal Secrecy, and Fuhr Ore, battle for a $22,000 purse in the featured seventh race on a strong Easter Sunday program here at Stampede Park.

The optional $40,000 claimer over six furlongs came up as a very contentious affair with Golden Hunt expected to contest the early lead from post 4 with Real Simard up. Golden Hunt was upset by former Alberta "B" circuit campaigner Vested in Slew while favored in a half-miler here March 25.

Golden Hunt, a 5-year-old gelding, should control the pace but both Fuhr Ore and Eternal Secrecy are capable of running him down on their best efforts.

Fuhr Ore did just that last April in his seasonal bow, and the 7-year-old sports a solid work tab for trainer Ron Grieves in preparation for his 2007 debut. Quincy Welch is aboard Fuhr Ore, who breaks from post 2.

Eternal Secrecy, a 10-year-old gelding with loads of back class, won his opener here last April with a five-wide rally under regular rider Leanne Painter and looks to duplicate the feat with Painter up. Eternal Secrecy has a history of running well fresh and would appreciate rapid early fractions in his quest for his 17th victory.

Sunday's card is by far the deepest in quality in this young meet, which has been plagued by inclement weather, and next Saturday promises to produce more solid action with a pair of Sales Stakes. Defending champion To Dream Again heads 11 nominees to the distaff version, while Liquid Louie, upset winner of the colts and geldings division last year, is among nine nominees in the male Sales Stakes.