T J Quigley fast enough to take it

CALGARY, Alberta - T J Quigley, winner of his first two outings here at Stampede Park last spring, heads a field of nine older runners in Friday's seventh race.

An 8-year-old gelding, T J Quigley also registered an upset over Timely Ruckus in the 1999 Stampede Park Sprint Championship and has a class edge in this six-furlong dash for $15,000 claimers.

T J Quigley has trained strongly for trainer Rick Hedge, including a bullet four-furlong work of 48 seconds here March 24. His two victories last April were accomplished against much tougher company than he faces in this 2002 debut.

Richard Hamel, who led the standings at this meet last year, is reunited with T J Quigley and should be able to use his tactical speed to advantage from post 3 in a field lacking serious early foot.

Hamel, off to a slow start after spending the winter at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida, won his first race of the meet last Sunday aboard 24-1 Diamond Crest.

T J Quigley's main early challenge could come from Northern Attack, who has a four-furlong tightener under his belt. Northern Attack was second in that 2002 bow and worked back a strong five-eighths for trainer Stu Simon here April 13. At age 11, Northern Attack still gives his best every time out. He is searching for his 22nd victory. Stephan Heiler retains the mount from post 4.

Shine Brite drew the outside post with Perry Winters up and will need some pace to set up his late kick. Trainer Dale Saunders has the 11-year-old Shine Brite primed with a series of steady drills.

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