'Run Joey' tries repeat in Journal

EDMONTON, Alberta - Can lightning strike again in the Journal Handicap at Northlands Park Saturday afternoon?

Run Joey Run came here three years ago as a Canadian Derby hopeful, and thus earned a reputation as a route runner. He enhanced that reputation by winning the Derby prep, the Governor-General's, at 1 5/16 miles.

A year later, he won the 1 1/16-mile Klondike Handicap, and so it was a surprise last year when Run Joey Run was nominated to - and then won - the Journal, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

Saturday afternoon, on the second card of this 2001 meeting, Run Joey Run, owned by Red Diamond Stable, will attempt to defend his Journal title in a field of six.

Run Joey Run, who ran well without winning in four starts in Calgary this spring, will be ridden by Perry Winters and will break from post 4.

Timely Ruckus, Alberta's sprint champion for the past three years, will carry topweight of

120 pounds, including his regular rider Stephan Heiler, and has drawn the inside post. His lone win from four starts this year came in the G. Sydney Halter at Assiniboia Downs.

Completing the field, in post order, are Timboruck, Nova Sin, Cash On the Run, and Tyko Tycoon, who will run coupled with Run Joey Run.

o 2000 Alberta champions Code Name Fred and Scotman will be passing on Saturday's opening stakes of this meeting. Code Name Fred, the champion older horse, will await the

1 1/16-mile Spangled Jimmy here July 7, as will horse of the year and 3-year-old champion Scotman.