Last-out flops likely favorites

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Bedford Road and Extended Credit will be the 118-pound co-highweights and the probable favorites at Marquis Downs in Saturday's $5,000 Saskatoon Handicap, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds.

Bedford Road and Extended Credit both made their last starts three weeks ago in the Golden Boy at Assiniboia Downs and finished last and second-to-last in a field of eight against much tougher competition.

Bedford Road had won both his career starts at Lethbridge by large margins before heading east. In the Golden Boy, Bedford Road flashed speed away from the gate but was done after a half-mile and finished 12 3/4 lengths behind the winner. Rennie Latchman picks up the mount and should find himself comfortably on the lead.

Extended Credit also showed brief speed in the Golden Boy before faltering to be beaten by 15 lengths.

A winner of the male division of the Saskatchewan Futurity here last summer, Extended Credit had run a good second to 4-year-old Cool Bender going a half-mile here in his only other start this year. Serge Rocheleau will ride.

Stop the Act and Sifting Sand both are undefeated in two starts in 2003.

Leading rider Tim Moccasin returns aboard Stop the Act, who won the allowance prep for this race two weeks ago and should be running late.

Sifting Sand, stakes-placed twice as a juvenile, was victorious twice in May, both times going just four furlongs and by open lengths.

Rounding out the field is Stylish Doug, who scored in an allowance for nonwinners-of-two here June 14, and the maidens Steffon and Captain Garfield.