Rindanica looks sharp for Sprint

CALGARY, Alberta - Rindanica won the major prep for the Stampede Park Sprint Championship, and on Saturday he seeks to validate that score versus six rivals in the $40,000 Sprint Championship, traditional kickoff to the stakes schedule at the spring meeting.

A 4-year-old son of Roy, Rindanica enjoyed a productive 3-year-old campaign and opened his 2004 season with a four-length tally in the Sprint prep under mild urging from his regular rider, Perry Winters.

Rindanica has continued to train forwardly for trainer Riley Rycroft and blew out four furlongs in a sharp 47.40 seconds here Tuesday.

Taiaslew, Rindanica's nemesis from last year, will miss Saturday's six-furlong test after a hoof problem interrupted his training schedule. That leaves Sixthirtyjoe, who was voted Alberta's champion sprinter of 2003, as Rindanica's main opponent.

Sixthirtyjoe, a 6-year-old gelding who captured this race two years ago, turned in an even effort in running a distant third as the favorite to Rindanica three weeks ago. His interim works have been moderate for trainer Deanne Davies.

They Call Me Cody broke slowly and was wide throughout in the Sprint prep, contested over a muddy surface he did not handle. He has turned in two excellent works since and remains a threat from off the pace. A 6-year-old gelding, They Call Me Cody prefers more ground.

The presence of Dance Me Free, winner of two half-milers at this meet, and Smooth Cruiser, rarely headed away from the gate, ensures honest fractions here.