Northlands: Saturday Nite Ride much the best in City of Edmonton Distaff

Saturday Nite Ride had an easy time winning the $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff at Northlands Park on Saturday. She paid $3.90 as the heavy favorite in the three-turn 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares that drew five horses.

With Aaron Gryder aboard, Saturday Nite Ride broke on top leaving from the rail and was never under any pressure while coasting through moderate fractions of 24.00 and 48.20 seconds. She was in complete control after six furlongs in 1:13 and went on to win by 5 1/2 lengths. The final time was 1:45.60.

Gosailgo chased the winner the whole way and held on to finish a clear second over Madeira Park.

“Once she got out of there I just let her get comfortable in finding her stride,” said Gryder. “That’s all you really want to do with a good horse.”

After the race, Gryder told one of Saturday Nite Ride’s owners, Glen Todd, the race was over at three-eighths pole.

“Glen said he thought so, too. But I meant the first time we passed it.”

It was Saturday Nite Ride’s third straight win since being purchased by Todd and Mark DeDomenico LLC. She was also an easy winner of the $50,000 Madamoiselle at Northlands on Aug. 2.