Oneneverknows set to break through

EDMONTON, Alberta - Oneneverknows, who has been knocking at the door, heads a field of eight 3-year-olds going a mile in Friday's featured optional claiming race here at Northlands Park.

Claimed for $17,500 on June 29, Oneneverknows paid immediate dividends by winning a $25,000 claimer and then running second twice at this level. In his only try at a mile here, on Aug. 4, Oneneverknows showed he could stay the trip with a closing second under Jake Barton, who retains the call from trainer Sid Gray.

Oneneverknows has had more than two weeks off since closing well for second going 6 1/2 furlongs, and the timing of this race fits his schedule perfectly. The same cannot be said for two of his main rivals, Father Jones and C R Jag, who raced against slightly tougher company going a mile last Saturday.

Father Jones, a gelding trained by Dale Greenwood, turned in an even effort to run fourth. He has won at the distance and looms as a major threat despite the short rest. Quincy Welch replaces Dan Boudreau aboard Father Jag, who breaks just outside Oneneverknows in post 6.

C R Jag, a stakes winner at this distance last fall, is winless from six starts this season. He faded badly to run last after engaging in a speed duel last time out, but his previous two starts were solid efforts. He drew the outside post, leaving rider Real Simard little option but to send early in the hopes of clearing his field into the first turn.