Howsitgoin eyes Sale surprise

EDMONTON, Alberta - Rickey Walcott, the meet's leading rider, will be looking for the upset when he rides Howsitgoin in Friday's $50,000 3-year-old filly Sale Stakes here at Northlands Park. Howsitigoin will face four rivals in the one-mile feature.

Speedy Gone Sally looms the horse to beat. Speedy Gone Sally, ridden by Perry Winters, has been competitive with the best in her division. Saucy Ciano, R Lucinda, and Glenora round out the field.

* Walcott guided 4-5 favorite Kaylee's Magic to victory in last Saturday's Bird of Pay for 2-year-old fillies. But in Monday's Birdcatcher, for 2-year-old colts and geldings, Walcott had to settle for third with Bear Character.

Bear Character, part of an entry with Bear Trieste that was favored at 2-5, finished behind 1 3/4-length winner Bell n' Gone and Teagues Flight, who won the place photo by a head. Bell n' Gone was coming off a maiden victory under Walcott for Bar None Ranches. With Walcott committed to the Bear Stable, trainer Ron Grieves turned to Simard as an able pinch-hitter on Ontario-bred Bell n' Gone.

* In the Bird of Pay, a change in strategy proved to be successful for Kaylee's Magic. Sent off at 3-5 in her previous race, a Sale Stakes, Kaylee's Magic took a two-length lead into the stretch but was nailed by Tartan Star right at the wire.

But in the Bird of Pay, Walcott took Kaylee's Magic back of Joyfull Wind and Sassy Sarah until they turned for home. Kaylee's Magic responded to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Sassy Sarah.