Sixthirtyjoe after 2nd Sun Sprint

EDMONTON, Alberta - Sixthirtyjoe, Alberta's horse of the year in 2003, will face five rivals as he bids to win his second Sun Sprint Championship in three years at Northlands Park.

Owned and trained by Deanne Davies, Sixthirtyjoe drew the rail in Monday's $50,000 Sun Sprint, a 6 1/2-furlong handicap.

Sixthirtyjoe's task may be made easier since last year's Sun Sprint winner, Deputy Country, was entered to run instead in Saturday's 1 1/16-mile Klondike.

Nevertheless, Sixthirtyjoe, 7, still faces a stern task. Sixthirtyjoe will meet Catalone, winner of his last two races, and Golden Hunt and Mr Don, who are also coming off victories. Ricky Walcott will ride Sixthirtyjoe.

Golden Hunt, recently claimed by trainer Carson Frey from Greg Tracy's stable for $40,000, is a speedster who won his final race for Tracy. Stephan Heiler rides.

Red Smith, who trains Deputy Country, will attempt to win this year's Sun Sprint with Mr Don, whose win last out came in a $30,000 claiming race on July 17. He has the outside post with Real Simard up.

Other contenders in the Sun Sprint are Chief Mtn and Hot Talk.

Chief Mtn won the Stampede Sprint this spring and was victorious in his first two races but was off the board in the Teeworth Plate and the Journal Handicap.

Hot Talk, another speedball, was runner-up to Sixthirtyjoe in the Journal at this distance.