Marquis rider seeks 11th straight

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - All eyes will be on rider Tim Moccasin at Marquis Downs Saturday as he seeks to extend his streak of 10 consecutive wins. Moccasin set a North American record when he won the final three races here last Friday and then swept Saturday's seven-race card.

This Saturday, the next program at Marquis Downs, Moccasin has mounts in all seven races.

Moccasin, 23, was born in Cochin, Saskatchewan, about 90 miles northwest of Saskatoon. He began his riding career at the Saskatchewan bush tracks at 12 years of age. In 1994, at 16, Moccasin brought his tack to Marquis Downs, Saskatchewan's only recognized Thoroughbred racetrack.

But Moccasin has ridden only sporadically here over the years, spending most of his time at the fair meetings. Last year, he arrived about four weeks into the meet and finished fourth in the standings despite missing the last three weekends. He concluded his 2000 season with 29 wins from 154 mounts.

Moccasin got off to a late start at the current meet, he said, because of problems with the law, which he did not elaborate on. He has been riding here only for the past two weekends, winning with 12 of his 31 mounts.

Saturday's card features seven races, and while it is highly unlikely that Moccasin will be able to sweep another card, he does have a chance to win several races.

In the first race, he will ride Remaudelled. While Remaudelled will be racing above his eligibility conditions, he arrives from the tougher Alberta circuit for his first start here and does show some speed.

Moccasin will be aboard the probable favorite for the second race, Pawhuska, who has three wins at the meet.