Smith shoots for nine in a row

EDMONTON, Alberta - Following Cody Anderson's unprecedented training feat of sending out three consecutive stakes winners to close out the 12th edition of Fall Classic Day, his mentor Red Smith was one of many well-wishers to congregate in Anderson's shed row last Saturday evening.

As the meet winds down to a close here Sunday, Smith is on the verge of an unprecedented feat of his own, a ninth consecutive training title at Northlands. Dale Saunders won the title in 1999, and Smith's streak began the next year and has continued unabated through the decade.

Just in case of a late surge by Robertino Diodoro, who sits in second spot coming into the closing weekend, Smith entered five horses on Friday evening, and they all have a shot.

Smith saddles the 5-year-old mare R Beau Genes in search of her third straight victory in Friday's featured seventh race.

Despite exiting the filly and mare ranks to run against open company, R Beau Genes need only run back to her last two efforts to be in the hunt.

Anderson struck out on his own this spring after many years as Smith's assistant and barn foreman, and still relies on Smith's counsel as he gets ready to head to Woodbine with his winning triumvirate of Cool Ventura, Cool Synsation, and Cool Diablo.

Smith has made that trip before - including a journey to accept his induction into Canada's Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.