Things look sunny next weekend

CALGARY, Alberta The inclement weather that has hounded this spring session returned Thursday morning. Hopefully, the upcoming holiday weekend, when two stakes races will be run, will have more favorable conditions.

Saturdays $50,000 Teeworth Plate is coming up strong with Albertas 2007 horse of the year, Footprint, pointing for the one-mile race for older horses.

Footprint was impressive in an allowance victory here a month ago, digging in gamely when challenged by Tejano Trouble at the head of the lane. Trainer Joan Petrowski opted to hold Footprint out of the April 26 Stampede Park Sprint Championship and instead worked him a bullet five furlongs in 59.80 seconds on May 4.

Footprints challengers will include Teagues Fight, who captured the Sales Stakes on the same day as Footprint won the allowance prep.

Trainer Doug MacDonald also passed the Sprint Championship and worked Teagues Fight five furlongs in 1:00.60 on May 4.

Ronaldino and trainer Terry Jordan took a different path to the Teeworth and won the Sprint Championship in handy fashion as the 4-5 favorite.

The Ken Pearson Memorial on Mondays Victoria Day holiday card should see M.R. Jenkins Memorial winner Beths Best Bet seek to stretch her speed going a mile against a good group that is expected to include Tanika, Shes Italian, and Banjo Babe.