Laketon returns to sprinting

CALGARY, Alberta - Laketon, in line for the comeback horse of the meet award, returns to sprinting in Friday's six-furlong feature at Stampede Park after an unsuccessful route try. The $22,000 allowance drew a field of seven older horses - four front-runners and three closers - and a case can be made for each entrant.

Laketon won three straight sprints in rapid time before running sixth in the one-mile Teeworth Plate in his last start. The speedy Laketon drew the rail.

Sparhawk breaks just outside of Laketon. Sparhawk made the lead turning for home in the Sprint Championship and only weakened in deep stretch to finish fourth. He has been carefully readied for this race by high-percentage trainer Floyd Arthur.

Both Laketon and Sparhawk face outside pressure from Tiger Energy, a 4-year-old who made the lead against stakes rivals last October, and Summer Sensation, a 4-for-5 invader from Turf Paradise.

The run to the first turn promises to be very interesting, and the pace scenario may favor Wye Red, who has enough speed to gain a good stalking position. Wye Red is in good form right now, coming off an easy one-mile score over allowance foes, and he worked back five furlongs in a bullet 59 seconds last week.

Churchbridge tracked a rapid 45.80 half-mile in the Sprint Championship, rallying from mid-pack to miss by a nose. Candid Remark wants more ground but is the deep closer in the field.