No place like home for Scotman

EDMONTON, Alberta - In Saturday's Spangled Jimmy, Scotman runs before his hometown fans at Northlands Park for the first time since being voted Alberta's horse of the year for 2000. The Spangled Jimmy, a one-mile handicap, has attracted a field of six older horses.

Owned by Northlands Park president Gordon Wilson and his son, Scott, Scotman will carry topweight of 121 pounds as he seeks his second victory in three races this season.

Scotman won Stampede Park's Teeworth Plate in his first start and then finished a strong third there in the Herald Gold Plate, beaten a length by Red Exit.

Scotman, who will break from post 3 under regular rider Chris McGregor, concedes three pounds to both Red Exit and Run Joey Run.

Red Exit, who is owned by Marjorie Zimmer, nosed out last year's Alberta champion older horse Code Name Fred to win the Herald Gold Plate, and Run Joey Run finished fourth.

Alex Ferris retains the mount on Red Exit, who has the inside post.

Run Joey Run, owned by Red Diamond Stable, rebounded from the Gold Plate to dead heat for first place with three-time Alberta champion sprinter Timely Ruckus here in the 6 1/2-furlong Journal.

Richard Hamel has the mount on Run Joey Run, who will be coupled with Tyko Tycoon.

Trainer Pam McDougall passed up the Journal with Scotman, declining to go back to sprinting after the 1 1/16-mile Gold Plate.

Completing the Spangled Jimmy field are Rancour and Robnroy.