Smith seeks fifth stakes win of meet

CALGARY, Alberta - The 42nd running of the $50,000 Herald Gold Plate has the potential to be one of the better renewals of the race, if predicted rains stay away. A field of 10 of the best older horses on the grounds will contest Sunday's 1 1/16-mile race, the premier offering of the meet for the division.

Several of the participants were compromised by the sloppy conditions in the one-mile Teeworth Plate three weeks ago, a race in which Deputy Country won as the longest shot on the board after Richard Hamel sent him to the lead over a speed- biased track.

Deputy Country runs coupled in the wagering with Nugrayontheblock. Both hail from the red-hot stable of trainer Red Smith, who has won four of the eight stakes at this meet.

Rindanica, away a step slowly, made a prolonged bid from last to miss by a length in the Teeworth. He may well be favored this time.

Defending champion They Call Me Cody has yet to run his best race this year. He caught off tracks in two of his three starts and encountered traffic problems in his Sprint Championship try over a fast strip. He could be dangerous at a price.

Code Name Fred, an 8-year-old loaded with class, captured the 2000 Herald Gold Plate and retains the services of leading rider Quincy Welch. Code Name Fred made a strong bid in the Teeworth, but was unable to overcome the track bias and finished third.

Vancouver invader Lord Shogun, winner of the 2002 Alberta Derby, attempts to recapture the magic after going winless last year. Lord Shogun comes off a dull effort in his seasonal debut at Hastings on May 22.