Sly Lady has only three to beat

CALGARY, Alberta - Sly Lady faces just three rivals in Saturday's $40,000 Duchess of York at Stampede Park as she attempts to sweep the three filly-mare stakes at this meeting.

The 122-pound highweight, Sly Lady drew the outside post with Real Simard up in this 1 1/16-mile race. She will be strongly backed off her latest tally in the Ken Pearson Memorial, where she romped home 10 1/2 lengths in front of Full Scream Ahead.

Sly Lady, a lightly raced 4-year-old daughter of Pole Position, was hampered by leg problems in her first two campaigns, but trainer Ron Grieves has her right this spring. She captured the one-mile Ken Pearson in 1:36, just .20 off the course record, while under a snug hold from Simard in the lane.

Full Scream Ahead is eligible to improve off her local debut as it was her first start in two months. A 7-year-old mare who raced at Golden Gate this winter, Full Scream Ahead will be saddled by leading trainer Red Smith and handled by leading rider Dave Wilson.

A Ray of Magic, champion of her division in Alberta last year, was a distant third in the Pearson. She came back and worked five furlongs in 1:01 here May 30 for trainer Rod Haynes. Quincy Welch retains the call.

S.L. Charmer drew the rail and will be the longest shot in the field.

* Twelve horses were nominated to the $100,000 Alberta Derby on Wednesday, with local favorite Taiaslew and West Coast invader Gamblin Caper heading the list.

Haynes nominated Raylene, winner of both 3-year-old filly stakes at this meet, to both the June 14 derby and the Penny Ridge on closing day.