Rock Creek Bobby looks solid

EDMONTON, Alberta Rock Creek Bobby, a stylish winner of his debut here Aug. 3, heads the 2-year-old colts and geldings division of the Sales Stakes at Northlands Park on Saturday afternoon. Both divisions of the $60,000 Sales Stakes, with the other being for 2-year-old fillies, drew fields of eight and will be run over 6 1/2 furlongs.

Rock Creek Bobby covered 5 1/2 furlongs in a sizzling 1:05.40, easily the best clocking for a 2-year-old at the distance this meet and just a second off the track record set by So Long Fellas as a 5-year-old on Aug. 16, 1975. Trained by Dale Saunders, Rock Creek Bobby will be asked to go an extra furlong now, but anything resembling his opener would be good enough. Quincy Welch retains the call and breaks Rock Creek Bobby from post 3.

Flying Gas has improved with each start for trainer Rick Hedge and appears to have the best shot at upsetting Rock Creek Bobby.

The fillies division came up as a wide-open affair. The field includes five maidens, and trainer Deanna Walper has a shot with a pair of those in the entry of Desperate Appeal and Jazzy Song.

Desperate Appeal was second to Bodgits Lady in the Princess Margaret and then ran into runaway winner Dandy Dora in the Bird of Pay. She can be expected to prompt the pace. Jazzy Song has tackled open company three times, including Rock Creek Bobby last out, and figures to be closing late.

* Heading the 21 nominees to the Aug. 23 Canadian Derby are Texas Wildcatter, beaten just a neck by Vancouvers top older runner Spaghetti Mouse last out; Matts Broken Vow, who won the Manitoba Derby; and Papa Time, who won the Count Lathum.