Rematch turns out no contest

CALGARY, Alberta - The much-anticipated rematch between

A Shaky Start, winner of the M.R. Jenkins Memorial here May 9, and her arch-rival Raylene, a fast-closing second in that six-furlong sprint, fizzled in Monday's $40,000 Ken Pearson Memorial at Stampede Park.

A Shaky Start, who enjoyed a perfect journey in her Jenkins tally, broke awkwardly, spotting her three rivals valuable lengths, and under Leanne Painter was never able to mount a sustained bid over a muddy and tiring surface.

The late-running Raylene, 3-5 under Rickey Walcott on the stretchout to a mile, inherited the stalking position along the inside that Painter had hoped to occupy with A Shaky Start. Raylene had dead aim on the pacesetting Northern Neechitoo through moderate fractions of 24.60 seconds, 49.20, and 1:14.60.

When longshot Jade Peony, who chased Northern Neechitoo down the backstretch, gave way at the quarter pole, Walcott was able to get Raylene off the rail, and she responded with a surge through the final turn.

Raylene put her head in front at the eighth pole and increased her margin for a three-length victory in 1:40.60. Walcott never drew his whip and Raylene crossed the finish line with her ears pricked.

Trainer Rod Haynes said Raylene will be pointed toward the 1 1/16-mile Duchess of York here June 12, and will confer with representatives of Raylene's owner, Calmar Stables and Ranch, after that engagement with the possibility that Raylene will ship to Woodbine for the summer.