Heiler finds winning formula

CALGARY, Alberta - Stephan Heiler's four wins here Wednesday thrust him into the second spot in the Stampede Park rider standings with 29 victories, 3 ahead of Rickey Walcott and 18 behind runaway leader Quincy Welch. Heiler is enjoying his best spring ever following his successful comeback last year after a brief retirement brought on by his ongoing battle with weight.

Heiler, a native of Germany who is represented by veteran agent John Heath, still spends time in the steam room reducing and regularly rides at 118 pounds, but the quantity and quality of his mounts at this meet make that task a bit easier. Heiler's success has brought live stakes mount his way. He scored with Alberta's 2005 horse of the year, Kaylee's Magic, in the Mount Royal on May 7.

It was Heiler's first time aboard Kaylee's Magic and guaranteed a return call from leading trainer Greg Tracy for the Lilac, a handicap for 3-year-old fillies here May 28. Heiler also has the call on Ameridar for Tracy in the Hoofprint on My Heart here May 27.

Ameridar is one of 14 nominees to the one-mile race, which serves as the major stakes prep for the June 17 Alberta Derby.

* Heath also books mounts for veteran Chris McGregor, who was unseated from his mount Intore at the break in Wednesday's fifth race and suffered a broken rib. McGregor joins Nobel Abrego and Leanne Painter on the injury list, leaving just 13 riders in the jockeys' room.