Welch picks Inuit Fisher in sprint

CALGARY, Alberta - I Suspect, from the stable of leading trainer of Ron Grieves, and Inuit Fisher, trained by Dale Saunders, head a field on nine 3-year-olds in a six-furlong optional $32,000 claimer at Stampede Park Wednesday.

I Suspect won his debut over a sloppy surface on April 21. The gelding rallied from last after breaking slowly and won drawing off.

Inuit Fisher was equally impressive in his maiden tally, with a powerful run down the lane over a muddy track April 18.

Quincy Welch was aboard both winners and opted for Inuit Fisher here, with Jake Barton picking up the mount on I Suspect.

* Barton picked up the mount on She's Italian last fall after Ron Blinston was injured, and he has yet to lose aboard the filly. She's Italian's latest success came in last Sunday's M.R. Jenkins Memorial as she cruised home by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:10.60 for the six furlongs. She's Italian paid $3.50 and has now combined with Barton for five consecutive tallies.

* Rider Rickey Walcott was aboard Plagiarist for the very first time in last Saturday's Stampede Park Sprint Championship, and the pair hit it off immediately to post a nose decision over the hard-charging Churchbridge. Plagiarist raced forwardly throughout the Sprint, took command inside the sixteenth pole, and just held Churchbridge safe under strong urging. Plagiarist, a 4-year-old who last started in California, paid $10.20 and ran the six furlongs in 1:10.20.