Scotman attacks Klondike

EDMONTON, Alberta ? Next Saturday's Klondike Handicap at Northlands will give Scotman, Alberta's 2000 horse of the year, an opportunity to avenge his disappointing performance in the Spangled Jimmy here July 7.

Eleven horses, including Alberta's reigning champion older male Code Name Fred and his archrival Run Joey Run, have been nominated to the 1 1/16-mile handicap that serves as the close of the Klondike Days segment of the Northlands racing season.

Stepping up against the older horses for the first time this spring, Scotman lived up to expectations by winning the Teeworth Plate at Stampede Park.

And he had excuses when finishing third in the subsequent Herald Gold Plate, as he only got out late after being trapped along the rail until deep stretch.

But the Spangled Jimmy, at his hometown track of Northlands, simply appeared to be a case of Scotman failing to fire.

The Klondike will give Code Name Fred an opportunity to return to action after taking time off following the June 10 Herald Gold Plate, where he was nosed out by Red Exit.

On the other hand, Run Joey Run has been a tiger since returning to Northlands after finishing second in the Teeworth and fourth in the Herald Gold Plate.

The other Klondike nominees are South Side and River Wild, both of whom were claimed from their longtime owners in recent weeks; Red Exit; Roll On Albion; Rancour; Tyko Tycoon; Nova Sin; and Parliament Hill.