Veterans face five on the rise

EDMONTON, Alberta The defending champion, Summer Sensation, and Albertas 2007 champion sprinter, Laketon, are two older horses facing five up-and-coming 4-year-olds here in Saturdays Journal Handicap.

The 6 1/2-furlong Journal has a purse of $50,000.

The inconsistent but speedy 6-year-old Summer Sensation, trained by Darcy Hawkes, is in a good race/bad race cycle.

His latest was a strong effort, in which he missed by just a neck after setting wicked fractions going six furlongs in an allowance race June 6 at Stampede Park.

Summer Sensation drew post 3 with Ron Blinston back aboard and is sure to be part of the pace.

The 8-year-old Laketon is the elder statesman of the field and faces a tough assignment, as he is usually a forward factor and drew outside here.

The Journal may turn out to be a coming-out party for any one of the 4-year-olds in their first year of tackling older stakes rivals.

Hurricane Tiki served notice that he is ready for the challenge after running down Summer Sensation going six furlongs last out under a perfect ride from Rickey Walcott, who split horses turning for home.

Howsitgoinghotshot, who equaled the course record for six furlongs at Stampede Park in his 2008 debut, may have bounced just a little next out when he was beaten a length by Hurricane Tiki but is in line for a stalking trip from midpack.