'Sprite' seeks third straight

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Good Old Sprite seeks his third straight victory Saturday in the $5,000 Saskatoon Handicap at Marquis Downs.

Owned by R J Stable, Good Old Sprite faces just five foes in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and should find his main competition from the lightly raced South on Clarence.

Good Old Sprite was second in three consecutive stakes races last year before finally winning his maiden in September.

This year, Good Old Sprite won his nonwinners-of-two allowance condition going a half-mile before besting four foes in the six-furlong allowance prep for this race.

South on Clarence was impressive winning his career debut by 7 1/4 lengths in one of the quickest times of the meet for a half-mile.

Two weeks ago, when he was bet down to heavy favoritism, South on Clarence led the way until the second turn, where he drifted out, and finished third to older foes, beaten by 1 1/2 lengths.

If leading rider Serge Rocheleau can help cure some of that "greenness" then South on Clarence may never be caught.

Britts Xpress was a longshot winner of the Western Heritage at 2 and finished third to Good Old Sprite last time out.

Completing the field are Slew Tonic, who was stakes-placed twice last year but fifth in Good Old Sprite's four-furlong win; Tuff Tiger Joe, who has a maiden score to his credit; and Brass Ruckus, who is still a maiden after two starts.