Painter, 'Deputy' win again

EDMONTON, Alberta - The midseason reunion of jockey Leanne Painter and Alberta's 2003 horse of the year, Deputy Country, has continued to pay huge dividends. Deputy Country, a 7-year-old owned by Arnold Heppner, won last Saturday's Klondike Handicap, his second straight win under Painter after having captured the Spangled Jimmy here July 9.

Deputy Country, who was the second favorite to Vancouver invader Blowin in the Wind in the Klondike, returned $7.30.

On Monday, Alberta's 2002 horse of the year Sixthirtyjoe won the Sun Sprint Championship on a disqualification.

Chief Mtn finished first but he was disqualified after the stewards ruled he had drifted out in the stretch and bothered Mr Don, who was promoted to second after rallying from last in the field of six. Sixthirtyjoe, favored at 3-2 and ridden by Rickey Walcott, won the Sprint for the second time in three years.

The disqualification of Chief Mtn spoiled a huge weekend for Danny Dion's Bear Stable, which had won the Edmonton Juvenile on Friday, and for Quincy Welch, who had already won three races on Monday's card.

Bear Character charged from fifth place to outduel Hidden Speed, for a one-length victory in the Edmonton Juvenile.

In Sunday's Princess Margaret, for 2-year-old fillies, Greg Tracy saddled the winner for the second straight year when 15-1 Kaylee's Magic wired her field by 6 1/2 lengths.