Riding the comeback trail

CALGARY, Alberta - Thunder Jake was the talk of the backstretch here last spring after his arrival from Phoenix following a highly rated maiden tally at Turf Paradise. Thunder Jake covered six furlongs there in 1:10.71 to win his second career outing.

Thunder Jake hasn't raced since his maiden win, and he begins his comeback Saturday when he faces six rivals in a four-furlong allowance for non-winners of two.

Thunder Jake's trainer, Greg Tracy, entered Thunder Jake two more times last year, but scratched him both times because of a muddy track. Finally, physical problems led to Thunder Jake being turned out for the year.

Tracy has proceeded cautiously with Thunder Jake, a California-bred son of Slewdledo. Thunder Jake has had just one solid breeze, a March 27 five-furlong work of 1:00.40.

Veteran rider Frank Gonsalves has the mount.

A Shaky Start nominated to Sales

A Shaky Start heads the list of 10 nominees to the older fillies and mares division of the $50,000 Sales Stakes, scheduled for next Saturday. The 5-year-old A Shaky Start is expected to concede considerable weight to her rivals in the second running of the six-furlong handicap, which is being held at Stampede Park for the first time.

A Shaky Start was easily the best of her division last year.