King Me takes jump in class

CALGARY, Alberta - King Me, the champion claimer on this circuit last year, returned to his winning ways here May 3 with a score over $28,000 claimers in which he covered six furlongs in a rapid 1:10.40.

The same afternoon, Fancy As captured the Stampede Park Sprint Championship in 1:10.20. King Me's trainer, Don Gilkyson, noted the comparison in times between the two races, and he promptly promoted King Me to Friday's eighth race, a $20,300 optional claimer.

King Me, an 8-year-old, can stand the raise if he reproduces his most recent effort. He will be ridden by Desmond Bryan.

King Me was three wide in the run down the backstretch after breaking from post 8 and responded when asked at the quarter pole.

He drew the same post for Friday's race, and with several speedsters drawn to his inside another stalking trip looks likely.

Smooth Cruiser breaks from post 3 under Arturo Rosales and will be part of the early pace in the six-furlong dash.

A 4-year-old gelding, Smooth Cruiser was 58-1 in his meet debut and led to deep stretch before yielding to Fancy As in an allowance race here April 13. His effort earned him a shot in the Stampede Park Sprint Championship, in which he pushed Alberta's 2002 champion sprinter Tyko Tycoon through a rapid half in 45.80 seconds before fading to fourth.

Robnroy exits a rapid six-furlong dash on May 2 won by Timely Ruckus in 1:10.40. It was the meet bow for Robnroy, who was prominent through a 45.40 half before fading to sixth. Robnroy breaks from post 2.