Sixthirtyjoe far from finished

EDMONTON, Alberta - The story of Sixthirtyjoe continues.

Sixthirtyjoe, a 7-year-old gelding owned, trained, and bred by Deanne Davies, kept alive his streak of winning a stakes race every year since first coming to the track at age 3.

Under Rickey Walcott, Sixthirtyjoe captured the $50,000 Journal Handicap by a head at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Rallying from far back in a field of nine, Sixthirtyjoe ($11.40) got up just in time to subdue 15-1 longshot Hot Talk, who had surged into the lead at the head of the stretch.

Sixthirtyjoe, Alberta's horse of the year in 2002, has won the 6 1/2-furlong Journal three of the last four years and twice has been voted the circuit's champion sprinter.

Sixthirtyjoe is the result of Davies having been offered a free breeding to an unknown stallion for an unsuccessful mare in her barn. He has now earned more than $500,000.

Deputy Country, the province's 2004 horse of the year, showed brief early speed but wound up last for his third straight disappointing result.

Taiaslew, favored at 2-1, finished fifth.

* On Sunday, Wild Bender gave Walcott his second stakes win as many days in the $50,000 Penny Ridge, which was rescheduled following the cancellation of race on the last day at Stampede Park.

Wild Bender, 5-1, defeated Speedy Gone Sally by a length.