Invaders dominate in Patrick

EDMONTON, Alberta - It's not enough that Vancouver invaders have made the winner's circle their private domain for Alberta stakes races in the filly-mare division this year. In Saturday's $50,000 John Patrick Memorial, they came under the wire one-two-three.

Gold Accent is now 2 for 2 in her Alberta races this season after outdueling Stole One, also a two-time winner in this province, in the Patrick Memorial. Stole One finished 4 3/4 lengths back of Gold Accent in second, while Overact, partnered with Gold Accent in a Dave Forster-trained entry, finished third, another neck back. The Forster horses, both Kentucky-breds, were bet down to 2-5.

Gold Accent was ridden by Rickey Walcott.

Weekend Ceilidh finished fourth to top the home forces, followed by Robyn's Request, Kellys Guest, and Unforgettable Too.

A Shaky Start, conceded to be the best local hope to derail the invasion, was withdrawn as a stewards' scratch, reducing the field to seven.

- There will be a $50,000 stakes on four successive days here, beginning Friday evening with the six-furlong Edmonton Juvenile and running through the long weekend, which concludes with the Heritage Day Monday program.

Saturday's program will feature the 1 1/16-mile Klondike Handicap for older horses. Two-year-old fillies run Sunday in the six-furlong furlong Princess Margaret, and the Sun Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs will be run Monday.