Private Balcony takes drop

EDMONTON, Alberta - Private Balcony will make her first start since June in an optional claiming race for 3-year-old fillies at Northlands Park Sunday. With Desmond Bryan aboard, Private Balcony will head a field of nine sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.

Private Balcony, trained by Kelly Grieves, launched her campaign with a first-level allowance victory and then was nipped in the last jump at the next allowance category. She was not a factor when making her stakes debut in the Lilac.

A formidable foe will be Kiss for Cody, who is 2 for 2. She is trained by Floyd Arthur and will be ridden by Craig Faine.

Travlin' Polly has been racing on the "B" circuit at Grande Prairie, where she won her last two. She also is trained by Arthur, but will not be coupled with Kiss for Cody.

Spirit to Spare is coming off a maiden special weight victory in the second start of her life. With Rickey Walcott her rider, she has drawn the rail.

Miss Lexy also won her latest outing, against $15,000 claimers. Miss Lexy will make the third start of her career with Ron Blinston her rider.

Banjo Babe, claimed by Don Gilkyson for $15,000 out of her maiden win in June, was beaten a head in an optional claimer for her new owners. Quincy Welch rides.

Stylish Val is coming off a third-place finish in an allowance. After three second-place finishes, Stylish Val won for $15,000 and then added another second-place finish in an optional claimer.