Sixthirtyjoe: His tale just gets better

EDMONTON, Alberta - The amazing story of Sixthirtyjoe keeps getting better.

Sixthirtyjoe, a small bay colt purchased for $100 by Deanne Davies, went on a tear last year at Northlands Park, winning $85,074, including the $33,000 Western Canada Handicap.

The story continued in the spring meet at Calgary, where Sixthirtyjoe won the $40,000 Teeworth Plate and $40,000 Stampede Park Sprint, earning $56,415 along the way.

Sixthirtyjoe made his 2002 Northlands debut Saturday, winning the $40,000 Journal.

Jockey Real Simard stalked early pacesetters Timely Ruckus and Spanish Banks through the first four furlongs before making his customary move to the outside.

The bid took him four-wide on the final turn, before he took the lead midway in the lane, and won by almost three lengths.

"It went exactly as planned," Simard said, "but I wasn't too sure at the beginning because leaving the chute he was getting a hold of it too good and he wasn't on the bit. As the race got on he got into it and he made it look easy."

The win elevated Sixthirtyjoe's 2002 earnings past $80,000, with numerous opportunities on the horizon. With the handicap division having lost some of its stars due to retirement and injury, the door might be open for Sixthirtyjoe to push toward an Alberta championship.

Davies has yet to reveal when Sixthirtyjoe will race again, but she likely will point him to the $50,000 Sun Sprint on Aug. 5 and $40,000 Red Diamond Express on Sept. 21.