Socorro County invades

EDMONTON, Alberta - Vancouver invader Socorro County will test Alberta stakes winners Braetta and To Dream Again in Sunday's $50,000 John Patrick Handicap here at Northlands Park. The John Patrick, a one-mile race for fillies and mares, attracted a field of eight.

Co-owner and trainer David Forster has named Jake Barton to take the mount as Socorro County seeks her first win of the year. Socorro County is no stranger to Alberta, as she shipped to Calgary and finished third in the 2004 and 2005 runnings of the Duchess of York.

Socorro County shares high weight of 118 pounds with Braetta, who won the Duchess of York last month.

Braetta, trained by Don Gilkyson, was photoed out in the Ken Pearson Memorial by Stole One after winning a pair of allowances. Braetta will be uncoupled from Banjo Babe, also trained by Gilkyson. Banjo Babe won an optional claimer at Stampede Park and finished third here to Stole One in the July 1 Wild Rose.

To Dream Again, trained by Robert Kingston, started the year impressively with victories in the Sales Stakes and the Marc Jenkins Memorial, but since then she has only a couple of fourth-place stakes finishes to show for her efforts.

To Dream Again is coupled with Speedy Gone Sally, who hasn't won since taking the Alberta Oaks and a Sales Stakes last year.