It's Alberta breeding's big day

EDMONTON, Alberta - Saturday's sixth annual Alberta Fall Classic Day at Northlands Park showcases this province's breeding industry.

There are seven stakes races on the card, offering a total of more than $300,000 in purse money for the Alberta-bred contestants.

Five winners from the 2001 Classics Day are expected to run, including the winners of last year's 2-year-old races. They are Exclusive Banker, who won the Alberta Premier's Futurity and now shoots for the Beaufort Stakes, and Reeyre, winner of the Sturgeon River who now is in the Alberta Oaks.

Other eligibles for the Beaufort include Go Go Tommy Joe, runner-up in the Count Lathum; Crescent Remark, second-best juvenile in the province last year; and Cat in a Bag. Reeyre also has the option of going against the boys in the Beaufort.

The eligibles for the Alberta Oaks also include Code's Decree, who won the Northlands Oaks; 2001 divisional champion Brass to Diamonds; Red Card Carla; Rozie's Account; Slewpy Time; and Sly Lady.

The fields for races for the 2-year-olds Saturday include the colt Jiffyjimmygee and the filly Dowhatuthinksright, who won their respective divisions of the $50,000 Sales Stakes.

The winners of the 2001 Classics for older horses at 1 1/16 miles will seek repeats. They are: Northern Nechitoo who won a tune-up last Wednesday for the Fall Classic Distaff for older fillies and mares; and Highland Leader, who will return to defend his title in the Alberta Breeders' Handicap.