Northlands Park: Freedoms Traveller captures Ky Alta

Freedoms Traveller stamped himself as the local favorite for the Grade 3, $300,000 Canadian Derby with a victory in the $50,000 Ky Alta at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Under a will-timed ride by Rafael Zenteno, Freedoms Traveller made up a 2 1/2-length deficit at the top of the stretch to edge favored Boomtown Brat by a neck in the one-mile feature. Boomtown Brat contested the early pace and held on well to finish a clear second over Call Me Later.

Trained by Lianne Knechtel, Freedoms Traveller paid $8.90. Final time over the sloppy track was 1:38.80.
The Ky Alta was one of three $50,000 stakes races on the 10-race card.

** Heribert Martinez timed his ride perfectly aboard heavily favored Embellished in the Chariot Chaser Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Embellished made a strong move from a stalking position to edge a very game Maegans Princessess in the six-furlong sprint. Trained by Rick Hedge, Embellished was sent off as the favorite and paid $5.10. Her win anchored a $30,080 Sweep Six, which was won by one person. Final time for the race was 1:12.00.

** Summer Song ($8) came from well off the pace to win the one-mile John Patrick for fillies and mares. Ridden by Fernando Perez, Summer Song bided her time behind a hotly contested pace. She made a strong move on the stretch turn and after taking the lead mid-turn she maintained her two and one half length margin through the stretch. Miss Victoriana got up for second. Heavily favored Alywyn had a rough trip while finishing third.

Trained by Alan May, Summer Song posted a final time of 1:37.40.