Kissthissky eyes fourth straight

CALGARY, Alberta - Owner-trainer Riley Rycroft sends out Kissthissky in search of his fourth straight victory at this meet in a $12,800 sprint for $13,000 claimers, which is the seventh race here Friday.

Rycroft claimed Kissthissky out of a victory in a $5,000 claimer April 11 and has watched him win for a $7,500 tag April 20 and for $10,000 last Sunday. The speedy gelding returns on just five days' rest and will be put to the test early by Past Time in the six-furlong race.

Kissthissky will break from post 4 and is reunited with Dave Wilson, who was aboard for Kissthissky's initial 2003 tally. Perry Winters, who notched two straight with Kissthissky, opted to ride Noeasyjob, whose stalking style is well-suited for this race.

Past Time may have been the overlay of the meet when allowed to go off at 20-1 in his six-length victory in a $13,000 claimer April 30. Past Time had been favored in his previous start, in which he ran second to Heir to Spare and was claimed by Robertino Diodoro. On Friday, he will start from post 3 under Real Simard.

* Wilson continues to lead the rider standings as the meet nears the halfway mark, and his pursuers will get a chance to make up ground this weekend. Wilson will ride Illusive Force in Saturday's City of Vancouver at Hastings Park, his agent, Herb Ollive, said.

* Taiaslew, the 2002 champion juvenile colt on this circuit, heads 26 nominees to Saturday's President's, while Raylene, Alberta's champion juvenile filly last year, heads a group of 15 3-year-old fillies nominated to Sunday's Mount Royal.