Raylene collects top honors

CALGARY, Alberta - Raylene was the only double winner at Alberta's Night of Champions at Stampede Park last Saturday, earning unanimous recognition as top 3-year-old filly and acclaimed as horse of the year in the province for 2003. Raylene captured six stakes and earned $339,684 last year.

Raylene's strong stretch drive to run down Taiaslew in the Canadian Derby last August at Northlands Park undoubtedly swayed the vote in her favor.

Taiaslew had to be content with his unanimous selection as champion 3-year-old male after winning four stakes, including the Alberta Derby, and earning $204,325.

The other winners on an evening of few surprises were: Tigger Bay, 2-year-old colt; Classa Red Wine, 2-year-old filly, They Call Me Cody, older male; Sly Lady, older female; Sweet Beau, claimer; Sixthirtyjoe, sprinter; and A Shaky Start, Alberta-bred.

Rindanica impresses in allowance

Rindanica, who won a pair of stakes and earned $135,678 during his 3-year-old campaign last year, finished second in the balloting behind Taiaslew but was a winner on the racetrack earlier in the day.

Rindanica gave ample warning that he will be force to be reckoned with in the older horse division with a four-length win in a six-furlong allowance that served as the major prep for the May 8 Stampede Park Sprint Championship.

The winning time of 1:13.20 was easily the best on a day when horses struggled over a muddy surface. Sixthirtyjoe ran evenly to be third while They Call Me Cody did not handle the going and was last in the field of six.