Ignore the old boys at own peril

CALGARY, Alberta - Burlington House and Mr Superior Knight, a pair of invaders from Manitoba, are the elder statesmen in a field of nine chasing a $9,500 purse in Sunday's seventh race, but don't let their age fool you.

Both runners have seen better days, as the $7,500 claiming tags will attest, but their back-class is hard to ignore in this field.

With 36 victories between them the two have accounted for more wins than their seven rivals combined, and either runner is capable of going wire to wire.

Burlington House is small in stature but always fires fresh and has won 19 races in his career. The 10-year-old drew the outside post with Richard Hamel up, but the outside can be an advantage in the four-furlong races run out of the chute.

Breaking just to Burlington House's inside will be Mr Superior Knight, a speedy 9-year-old searching for his 18th win.

Shannon Beauregard, who relocated here this spring after a successful season at Assiniboia Downs, has the mount.

Beauregard retains her five-pound apprentice allowance and has joined Quincy Welch and Leanne Painter in an imposing trio of riders represented by agent Bob Fowlis.

Horse Racing Alberta mandated following the close of last season that agents could no longer handle three journeymen, and Fowlis has severed his long association with veteran Real Simard. Cam Powley, in his first year on a new job after trading in his trainer's license, picked up Simard and will also take calls for Ron Blinston.