Six Stampede stakes to be run at meet

Northlands Park has scheduled 40 stakes races totaling $2.37 million for the 2009 meet, which opens on May 1. The total amount of stakes money is up by $200,000 from 2008, due to Northlands picking up six stakes from Stampede Park, which isn't holding a meet this year. Offsetting the additional stakes races are $25,000 purse cuts to four races.

The additions to the schedule are both divisions of the $50,000 Sales Stakes for 4-year-olds and up on May 23; the $50,000 President's Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings on June 6; the $50,000 Mount Royal for 3 year-old fillies, June 7; the $50,000 Duchess of York for fillies and mares, Oct. 10; and the $50,000 Harvest Gold Plate, 3-year-olds and up, Oct. 12.

The Grade 3 Canadian Derby on Aug. 22 is the richest and most important race at Northlands. The $300,000 feature is the only graded race at the meet.

The 13th edition of Fall Classic Day is set for Sept. 19. Fall Classic Day features seven stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds. All seven races carry a $50,000 purse. Two of the races, the Fall Classic Distaff and Breeders' Handicap, had their purses cut by $25,000.

The biggest race for 3-year-olds and up is the $100,000 Speed to Spare. The 1 3/8-mile stakes is scheduled for Sept. 6.

Other highlights include the $75,000 Distaff, for fillies and mares on Aug. 22, and the $75,000 Sonoma, for 3-year-old fillies, on Aug.o23. Both races were worth $100,000 in 2008.