Grieves trio anchored by Boldanzar

CALGARY Alberta - The two Sales Stakes that are new to this meeting will be run Saturday, poviding Stampede fans with the best card of the young season.

The program also will be a fitting lead-in to the Night of Champions, Alberta's annual awards banquet, which will be held Saturday evening.

In the older colts and geldings handicap, a $50,000 sprint over six furlongs, trainer Ron Grieves saddles a formidable three-horse entry that comprises Boldanzar, Topwynson, and Code Name Fred. The trio drew posts 7, 8, and 9 in the field of nine and will go off as the favorite.

A 7-year-old gelding, Boldanzar captured the half-mile prep to this race April 3 and will be ridden by Quincy Welch, who scored his 1,000th victory Wednesday.

Boldanzar can be expected to contest the early fractions and will have to deal with Tyko Tycoon and Dance Me Free to his inside.

Code Name Fred, a multiple stakes winner in his youth, turned 9 this year and will be rolling late. He has trained very well all spring.

In the distaff division, A Shaky Start, a nine-length winner in the inaugural running of the stakes, contested over a mile last October at Northlands Park, is the 124-pound highweight and odds-on favorite.

A 5-year-old, A Shaky Start headed her division last year with four stakes victories. She is in line for at least one trophy at the awards banquet later in the day and towers over her six rivals with regular rider Leanne Painter up.