Golden Hunt teams with Simard

CALGARY, Alberta - Golden Hunt is one of the fastest horses on the grounds and, according to jockey Real Simard, he is the quickest horse away from the gate he has ridden. The pair will team up in Sunday's featured eighth race here at Stampede Park.

Two years ago Simard was aboard Golden Hunt for a sizzling win at Sunday's four-furlong distance, which at first was thought to be a course record. The time was later adjusted to equal the course standard. But one thing was for certain: Golden Hunt ran very fast, with Simard sitting chilly in the irons.

The Florida-bred Golden Hunt later upset the six-furlong Western Canada at long odds and was among the nominees for Alberta's champion sprinter of 2005.

Winless last year in his first season facing older horses, Golden Hunt will start at a short price in this optional $40,000 claimer with a money allowance condition attached. Golden Hunt drew post 6 in Sunday's field of seven.

Last spring, Golden Hunt was ineligible for the same condition after a stakes win. Trainer Carson Frey entered Golden Hunt in an open allowance going a half-mile which failed to fill.

Griffin's Wake, who breaks just to Golden Hunt's inside Sunday, has trained forwardly this spring and appears to be the main threat.

The 6-year-old Griffin's Wake just missed in a half-miler here last spring, a race he might have won with a clean trip. Jake Barton, who won a pair aboard Griffin's Wake last fall, has the mount.