Kalfaari puts stakes streak on the line

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Kalfaari goes for his fourth stakes win this year and his fifth win in as many starts when he faces eight other older horses here in Saturday's $30,000 R.J. Speers Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Owned and trained by Clint Willson, Kalfaari last raced in the Aug. 5 Wheat City Stakes, defeating Sir Pucker by three-quarters of a length.

Kalfaari probably will come from off the pace, which likely will be contested by Sir Pucker, Deputy Country, and perhaps Stritzel.

Rohan Singh, who has been aboard for all four of Kalfaari's wins this year, retains the call on Kalfaari, who breaks from post 3.

Sir Pucker and Stritzel were part of three-horse pace duel in the Wheat City, but Stritzel, who will race without blinkers and starts from post 8 under Jerry Pruitt, may not show as much speed Saturday.

Sir Pucker has won 3 of 5 starts here this year and fared the best of three horses involved in the pace of the Wheat City. He has raced once since then, winning an allowance Aug. 17, and will break from post 4 with Jacques DesAutels in the saddle.

Deputy Country, who won his maiden at Northlands Park in July, has since had three starts here, all allowance races, winning twice.

One of two horses in the race trained by Carl Anderson (the other is Victorious Type), Deputy Country makes his first start against stakes company and begins from post 6 with Anderson Ward riding.

Beau Ring and Victorious Type have faced each other in their last two starts, which came at Marquis Downs, with Victorious Type finishing second to Beau Ring on both occasions.

Trained by Wendy Anderson, Beau Ring has raced once here this year, finishing sixth in the Free Press Stakes. He will break from post 2 with Ken Hendricks.

Victorious Type makes his first appearance here and will start from the outside under Robert Munoz.

Smoky Cinder, winner of this race last year (run as the Super 7 Classic) has failed to win in six starts in 2002, finishing in the top three only once. He breaks from post 7 with Tim Gardiner.

Rounding out the field are Rouge Royale, ridden by Juan Crawford, and Sneakin Mac, with Edwin Alicea.