Sassy Sarah looks to be long gone

CALGARY Alberta - Sassy Sarah makes her third start of the young season in Friday's featured seventh race, a six-furlong allowance sprint with a $40,000 claiming option that attracted a solid field of nine fillies and mares.

Although Sassy Sarah has disappointed her backers as the odds-on choice twice this meet, she nevertheless turned in solid efforts to finish second and figures to be favored once again.

R Lucinda bested Sassy Sarah by a length on opening weekend and then returned to win the female version of the Sales Stakes here last Saturday. She's Twenty Below prevailed over Sassy Sarah by a length on April 4. In both cases, Sassy Sarah dueled for the early lead through quick fractions under her regular rider Real Simard.

Sassy Sarah, winner of five races last season, drew post 6 and Simard will undoubtedly have her forwardly placed in a field noticeably lacking in early foot. If she clears this group early and is allowed to dictate a moderate pace, then Sassy Sarah will be very tough to reel in down the lane.

Beau Spirit, a winner of four races in a fine 3-year-old campaign last year, tests older rivals for the second time. She can be excused for her 2008 debut, when she ran into a tiger named Beth's Best Bet, who may just be the fastest filly on the grounds.

Beau Spirit draws post 3 with Jake Barton returning to ride, and is line for a stalking trip.