Off track no problem for these

CALGARY, Alberta - A decision to cancel Wednesday's card at Stampede Park because of poor track conditions following several days of rain was made early Tuesday morning and allowed racing secretary Barry McGrath to offer several of the canceled races for Friday's program.

Five of the eight races on the Friday card were made up of rewrites from Wednesday, and not surprisingly most of the returnees boast decent form in off going.

The featured seventh race enticed five of the 10 entrants from an identical $17,500 claimer at a mile that was slated as the finale on Wednesday's card.

Trainer Red McKenzie entered Stage Door Jade and trainer Carson Frey sends Pay the Ransom. Both runners move up on a wet surface, with Stage Door Jade boasting four wins on off going and Pay the Ransom a record of 2-3-3 from 9 such starts.

Pay the Ransom drew the rail with Stephan Heiler up.

Stage Door Jade owns a victory at this level May 22, coming from third place under Rickey Walcott.

The one to catch in the field of seven older runners is Chain Reprisal, another refugee from Wednesday's card. Chain Reprisal scored a 17-1 upset over a muddy surface last October at Northlands Park, defeating Pay the Ransom by a half-length after prompting the pace. Leanne Painter was aboard for that tally and undoubtedly will employ a similar strategy Friday. Chain Reprisal drew post 3 for his fourth start of the meet.