President's prep draws 17 entries

CALGARY, Alberta - A $17,000 entry-level allowance was split into two divisions after 17 3-year-old colts and geldings were entered, and they provide co-features for a strong program Friday evening at Stampede Park.

The six-furlong races will go a long way in determining the field for the May 15 President's, the first stakes of the meet for this division.

Royalty Boy, who as a 2-year-old last year lost a neck decision to Fly Esteem in the Alberta Premier's Futurity and was beaten a nose by Alberta champion 2-year-old Tigger Bay in the Canadian Juvenile, makes his seasonal debut in the sixth race.

An Alberta-bred, Royalty Boy sports a strong work tab for trainer Bruce Phelan and breaks from post 5 under Real Simard.

Thunder Jake, a California-bred, has prepped smartly for trainer Greg Tracy since arriving from Turf Paradise.

Ozzie's J J, second to the promising invader Chief Mtn in a similar allowance contested over a muddy surface here April 16, heads up the second half of the split, which runs as the eighth race.

Ozzie's J J, an Alberta-bred who ran third in the Birdcatcher and Alberta Premier's last fall, drew the outside post in the field of eight.

Kat Kool, a Kentucky-bred who will break from post 3, won his maiden going a half-mile here April 11, and returning rider Quincy Welch had the gelding in hand late.

While he lacks the seasoning of Ozzie's J J, Kat Kool is bred to run on and is highly regarded by leading trainer Red Smith.