Sayler, DesAutels top their divisions

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Ardell Sayler is poised to win his third consecutive training title as the 2002 Assiniboia meet heads into its final weekend.

Sayler's 38 wins place him seven ahead of Wendy Anderson and Emile Corbel with three days of racing remaining.

Anderson, whose record currently stands at 31 wins from 146 starts, is one of several trainers who have had solid seasons in 2002.

Other trainers who have had good meetings include Darla Singh (25 of 96), Gordon Marsh (22 of 88), John Keegan (12 of 58), Clint Wilson (10 of 38), Sonny Johnson (9 of 39), and Bert Blake (9 of 24).

In the jockey standings, Jacques DesAutels is five wins in front of Rohan Singh and will win his first riding title here if he is able to maintain his lead.

Apprentice Edwin Alicea, who won five races last weekend and has won 16 of 102 in his short career, has been one of hotter riders here in the last month of the season.

Despite missing the last two stakes races of the older horses division, Kalfaari - undefeated in four starts here this year, including three stakes - should be named the province's top local older horse and is likely to take Manitoba horse of the year honors.

Cathy's Star, who won two stakes here this year, should be named the top older mare while Ekati, also a winner of two stakes, will likely take 3-year-old colt honors.

Beausox, who won the Jack Hardy Stakes and Assiniboia Oaks, will probably be named top 3-year-old filly but Miss Noire, an upset winner of last Sunday's Matron Breeders' Cup Stakes, may get some attention as well.

The Osiris Plate, which will be run Sunday, will likely decide this year's best 2-year-old.

The $60,000 Gold Breeders' Cup Stakes, for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles, will also be run closing day.

Post times for the final weekend are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.