Sixthirtyjoe rebounds in Express

EDMONTON, Alberta - Leading up to the $50,000 Red Diamond Express here last Saturday, owner-trainer Deanne Davies was confident that Sixthirtyjoe would rebound from a shockingly poor outing at Assiniboia Downs in his last start.

And Davies was right on the money, as Sixthirtyjoe, a 5-year-old gelding, won impressively in a strong field in the Diamond Express during the Alberta Fall Classic.

Jockey Real Simard had Sixthirtyjoe stalking the leaders through the first half-mile and then set his sights on the favorite, Fussy's Kid. Going three wide through the final turn, Sixthirtyjoe and Simard pulled to within a length of the lead by the top of the stretch and Sixthirtyjoe was too much to handle down the lane as he won by 1 1/2 lengths.

The win pushed Sixthirtyjoe's career earnings to $345,545.

In other Fall Classic action, A Shaky Start was outstanding again in the $50,000 Alberta Oaks, wiring the field in the one-mile race.

In the Beaufort, for 3-year-olds, Beau Brass returned to form after a disappointing trip in the Canadian Derby to win by five lengths. Regal Ability shocked favorite They Call Me Cody for the second time in as many starts by taking the Alberta Breeders' Handicap for older horses.

With Sly Lady on the sidelines, Northern Neechitoo dominated in the Fall Classic Distaff, and Bears Little Angel won her first race of the year in the Sturgeon River for 2-year-old fillies.

Fly Esteem held off Royalty Boy in the Premier's Futurity to win by a nose in a battle of 2-year-old colts and geldings.