Speedy Gone Sally tops seven in sprint

CALGARY, Alberta - Speedy Gone Sally heads a competitive field of seven older fillies and mares sprinting six furlongs in search of the major share of a $20,200 purse here in Friday's feature, an optional $40,000 claimer.

The hard-knocking R Beau Genes, who hails from Red Smith's shed row and has already won at this condition this meet, is the other leading contender.

Speedy Gone Sally, a versatile sort from Bob Kingston's barn who is just a notch below the top stakes fillies on this circuit, tested the best mares going a mile in the Ken Pearson Memorial last out and ran evenly to finish fifth.

But Speedy Gone Sally is a much better fit in this league, and draws post 3 with Shannon Beauregard replacing Perry Winters in the irons.

Her best distance is probably 6 1/2 furlongs, but the 6-year-old did close well to finish second to the tough Sassy Sarah two starts ago at this six-furlong distance.

R Beau Genes was third that day after chasing Sassy Sarah in the early stages. She draws post 4 here with leading rider Quincy Welch retaining the call, and will be on or close to the lead.

Both Regal Vicky and Ella Maria move up off victories against $30,000 claimers and will be forward factors in what shapes up as an interesting run to the first turn.

Regal Vicky showed a new dimension in her debut win on April 30 after going winless in 2007, a campaign in which she got caught up in several speed duels.