Invader has much in his favor

CALGARY, Alberta The competition runs deep here Friday in a six-furlong first-level allowance, with the edge going to West Coast invader Bold Knockout. A full field of 10 3-year-olds will run in the $17,400 race, the seventh on the card.

Hastings-based horses ruled the roost here last weekend, with several of them drawing off to win impressively at short prices. The Vancouver runners appear to have an edge on their local counterparts this early in the season.

Bold Knockout, trained by Craig MacPherson, has prepped smartly, including a bullet five-furlong drill in 1:02.20 March 30 over a sloppy Hastings surface.

Bold Knockout has displayed early speed in all seven of his starts, and he tested the stakes waters last fall, making the lead going 1 1/16 miles before giving way at a distance beyond his reach. Sprinting is his game, and this dash could be his for the asking if he breaks sharply from post 7 under Stephan Heiler.

Inuit Fisher heads up the local opposition. He drew favorably, breaking from post 2 with red-hot rider Quincy Welch up.

A 4-year-old gelding, Inuit Fisher was impressive in winning his maiden here last April 18 and then ran second in a pair of very quick sprints before making his last start of the year in August at Northlands Park.

Inuit Fisher is in line for a tracking trip, and would appreciate a contested early pace to set up his stretch run.