Tyko faces the champ once again

CALGARY, Alberta - Saturday's $40,000 Stampede Park Sprint Championship promises to be a competitive race, and a case can be made for each of the six entrants in the six-furlong handicap.

Timely Ruckus, winner of three of the past five Sprint Championships, comes of a poor showing in the prep, which was won by Tyko Tycoon.

Trainer Ernie Keller made no excuses for Timely Ruckus following his fifth-place effort in the prep, and readied his charge with a bullet three-furlong blowout of 35.20 May 1.

Stephan Heiler rides Timely Ruckus at high weight of 121 pounds. Timely Ruckus, a 9-year-old gelding, drew post 3.

Timely Ruckus, Alberta's champion sprinter of 2001, will vie for the early lead with Tyko Tycoon, who drew the outside post.

In the prep, Tyko Tycoon cleared his field with a bold move through the first turn and posted rapid fractions under Perry Winters. Despite the quick pace, he held on gamely when challenged in deep stretch to prevail in a three-horse photo.

They Call Me Cody bid from just off the pace and just missed that day at 19-1. He is back for another try, with Richard Hamel replacing Rickey Walcott in the irons.

Cash On the Run, last year's Sprint Championship winner, skipped the prep after finishing second to Timely Ruckus in his seasonal bow, but has been working well for trainer Ron Grieves. Cash On the Run has shown he will rate just off the pace.

Robnroy comes into the race without a tightener, but has shown in past campaigns that he runs well fresh.

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