Northlands: Tiny Giant looks sharp for 2011 bow

Tiny Giant, one of the top 2-year-olds in Alberta in 2009, won just a single race as a 3-year-old last year. His trainer, Joan Petrowski, said she wasn’t disappointed with Tiny Giant despite the big difference in productivity - $81,775 in 2009 compared to $26,400 last year.

“You’re happy with whatever you get,” said Petrowski.

Tiny Giant could get off to a productive start when he makes his seasonal debut in Sunday’s feature at Northlands Park. He drew the rail in a 3 1/2-furlong $40,000 optional claiming race that drew seven horses.

Petrowski is pleased with the way Tiny Giant is coming up to his first start since he won a $32,000 optional race last Oct. 8. He certainly has worked sharply this spring, posting five bullets from six moves ranging between three and five furlongs.

“He’s training very well,” said Petrowski. “He’s running with older horses for the first time, but I think if he gets out of the starting gate okay he should run a good race.”

Leading apprentice Scott Williams rides Tiny Giant.

Trainer Dale Saunders has entered Inuit Fisher and Ready Racer, who will race uncoupled.

A 7-year-old gelding by Mutakddim, Inuit Fisher is the top money earner in the field with $187,480 in the bank. He can also fire fresh. He won first time out in both 2007 and 2008. In 2009 he set the pace before tiring to finish third in a six-furlong $40,000 optional race won by Tanika. Last year, Inuit Fisher may not have liked an off track when he finished sixth in a similar race. A multiple sprint stakes winner, Inuit Fisher is the class of the field and is an obvious threat with Stephan Heiler riding.

Ready Racer won three races for Saunders in 2010, and in his only start going 3 1/2 furlongs he just missed in a $22,000 claiming race coming off of a long layoff last May 16.

The 3-year-old Boomtown Brat will try older horses for the first time after a solid effort in a $75,000 optional sprint at Hastings won by Bond James Bond.