Price drop should help Griffin's Wake

EDMONTON, Alberta - Perhaps conceding that the $22,000 claiming plateau was a little too ambitious, the connections of Griffin's Wake have dropped him to the $17,500 level in a six-furlong sprint here at Northlands Park on Saturday. Griffin's Wake will face eight rivals in the seventh-race feature.

A Kentucky-bred owned by Jim MacPhail and George Rogers, Griffin's Wake had won consecutive sprints for $10,000 and $13,000 when he was promoted to take on $22,000 company. Griffin's Wake, trained by Milton Murray, responded with a pair of runner-up finishes and then faltered in a front-running try in his latest to wind up third. Perry Winters retains the mount.

Also dropping from the $22,000 level are Sweet Drummer, with Rickey Walcott from the rail; Dublin's Woodwin, ridden by Mike Iammarino; and Parlay's Prospect, Leanne Painter up.

Both Sweet Drummer and Parlay's Prospect are winless this year, while Dublin's Woodwin has won twice for Saturday's price.

Prospective Hit was claimed out of his latest start for $13,000 by trainer Tim Rycroft. Stephan Heiler will be his new rider.

Judge Ruckus is making a similar jump after trainer Lincoln Downs haltered him for $13,000 from a third-place finish.

A 2-year-old divisional champion four years ago, Dance Me Free won his last race for $13,000 and will have a new jockey here in Quincy Welch.

Rock Cod Johnny also is receiving a promotion after two consecutive victories and three wins out of four outings.

King Jeremy, with Shannon Beauregard up, has recorded a win, a third, and a second in his last three starts for this price.