Sly Lady simply does the expected

CALGARY, Alberta - Predictably, Sly Lady captured the Duchess of York at Stampede Park last Saturday, completing a sweep of the three filly and mare stakes at this meet. On Sunday, They Call Me Cody was an upset winner of the Herald Gold Plate.

Sly Lady faced just three rivals in the Duchess of York. The outcome of the 1 1/16-mile race was never in doubt as jockey Real Simard had the 4-year-old filly on cruise control in a wire-to-wire effort, and she was never threatened.

Trainer Ron Grieves, who topped this meet last spring, saddled Sly Lady and is making a late run at defending his title.

Sly Lady increased her 2003 bankroll to $105,600, including $30,000 in bonuses courtesy of the newly instituted $10,000 offered to Alberta-bred winners of stakes.

The $50,000 Herald Gold Plate produced a surprise winner.

Eternal Secrecy, bet down to 4-5 off his scintillating score in the Teeworth three weeks earlier, was an obvious victim of a bounce, and never threatened in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Sixthirtyjoe, Alberta's reigning horse of the year, took the lead. But Perry Winters and They Call Me Cody easily disposed of Sixthirtyjoe at the quarter pole. They Call Me Cody then faced a new challenge from defending champion Rancour.

Quincy Welch urged Rancour to within a head of They Call Me Cody a furlong out, but Rancour drifted out in the lane to finish a length back.

They Call Me Cody ($12.10) won for just the third time in 17 career starts. He earned $35,200.