Good as 'Gold' in Buffalo

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - The 2-year-filly Gold Strike ($9.40) romped to a 15 3/4-length victory here last Sunday in the restricted Buffalo Stakes.

A daughter of Smart Strike, Gold Strike recorded her second win, both in stakes, and increased her earnings to $51,592 in three starts. Trained by Blair Miller and ridden by Jerry Pruitt, Gold Strike completed the mile in 1:40.20, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 75.

Gold Strike, owned by the Harlequin Ranches, is headed to Woodbine and trainer Emile Allain.

* Going into the final weekend here, both the races for leading jockey and trainer appear to be foregone conclusions. Travis Hightower leads the jockey standings with 94 victories, 32 wins ahead of second-placed Larren Delorme. Beth Butler and Jerry Pruitt are tied for third with 55 victories.

Ardell Sayler (39) is six wins ahead of Emile Corbel and should be able to hold on for his fourth trainer title in the last five years. Gary Danelson is third with 28 wins.

* Two solid stakes are on tap this weekend. Saturday's headliner is the Matron Breeders' Cup, a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares that offers a purse of $65,000. The Gold Breeders' Cup, also worth $65,000 and at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up, is the closing-day highlight Sunday.