Ice Jamer is seeking third in row

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - With no visible chinks in his armor, Ice Jamer appears set to score his third straight victory of this young meet in Friday's $6,000 Saskatoon Handicap for 3-year-olds.

The six-furlong Saskatoon is the first stepping-stone to the $15,000 Saskatchewan Derby on Aug. 5.

A winner of 4 of 6 lifetime starts, Ice Jamer has never finished behind any of his six opponents in this event.

Last year, Ice Jamer was successful in the CTHS Sales Stakes at first asking before winning the richest race of the meet, the Prairie Lily Sales.

He then finished third in the Lashyn Futurity and second in the Marquis Graduate and eventually was honored by the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association as the top local juvenile, with earnings of $24,743.

Rider Hugh Huston teams up once again with trainer Bob Barr, hunting for another front-running victory with Ice Jamer, who will break from post 6 as the 122-pound highweight.

Arctic Prospect is the only other stakes winner in the field, having won the colts and geldings divisions of the Saskatchewan Futurity and the Western Heritage last season. However, Arctic Prospect has never come close to defeating Ice Jamer in their four encounters.

Completing the field are First Affair and Wendys Choice, who both are stakes-placed winners; recent graduate Mi Pequeno Amigo; and maidens Joe Da Boxer and Take Me Dancer.

* Leading rider Isiah Sala has departed Marquis Downs to ply his trade at tracks in Pennsylvania. Sala rode the winners of both the Marquis Matron and Inaugural handicaps.

* Cliff Miyashiro and Rennie Latchman are scheduled to arrive next weekend from Lethbridge, Alberta, to ride for the summer. Racing secretary Rick Fior also said that about 20 horses are likely to arrive from Lethbridge, which should help provide bigger fields.