A Shaky Start looks a shoo-in

EDMONTON, Alberta - Since the inaugural Sales Stakes for 3-year-olds were exclusively for Alberta-breds, the results should be useful indicators for the Alberta Oaks and the Beaufort Stakes on Fall Classic Day next Saturday.

That is especially the case for the Oaks, where filly Sales Stakes winner A Shaky Start is expected to dominate.

Raylene, who won the Canadian Derby and four stakes against her own sex this year, should be automatic for Alberta's 3-year-old filly of the year. But there is no shame in being second, especially considering A Shaky Start won two of three meetings against Raylene.

With Raylene at Vancouver for the same day's British Columbia Oaks, A Shaky Start appears to have the local scene all to herself in the Alberta Oaks.

Only five other fillies have been nominated for the one-mile Alberta Oaks: Lot a Smoke and To Dream Again, who have each won three races, and two-time winners Callies Remark, Jessie Guest, and Whataweekend.

Double Doc had things all his own way in the male division of the 3-year-old Sales Stakes. It was his third win of the year. For him there is a lot of danger lurking among the 15 nominees for Saturday's 1 1/16-mile Beaufort.

Beau Brass won the Count Lathum leading up to the Canadian Derby, in which he did not fire. He also finished second in the Ky Alta.

Not to be overlooked are Beauzak, whom trainer Stuart Simon shipped over to win the Saskatchewan Derby last weekend, and Cool Bender, who won the Golden Boy at Winnipeg and was stakes placed in the Western Canada.