Welch rides highlight of Fall Classic

EDMONTON, Alberta - Of the many story lines during the Alberta Fall Classic at Northlands Park Saturday, none was more noteworthy than the performance of jockey Quincy Welch.

He rode three winners in the seven stakes on the card and had two second-place finishes to end the day with close to $100,000 in purse winnings.

Welch rode his first winner in the third race, on favored Jiffyjimmygee in the $40,000 Alberta Premier's Futurity for 2-year-olds.

A race later, Welch finished second to A Ray of Magic aboard Northern Neechitoo in the Fall Classic Distaff. He returned to the winner's circle with his next mount, Turbo Charger, in the Breeder's Handicap for older horses. Welch had a perfect trip, stalking through the first half-mile before assuming control and holding off favored Miki Bleu Eyes in the stretch. Trained by Ernie Keller, Turbo Charger paid $12.10 to win.

In the fifth, on another Keller-trained horse, Timely Ruckus, Welch battled down the stretch with favored Tyko Tycoon and was beaten by a half-length in

the 6 1U2-furlong Red Diamond Express. The two horses battled from the starting gate to the wire.

In the next race, the $40,000 Beaufort for 3-year-olds, Welch got his third winner, guiding Canadian Derby also-ran Go Go Tommy Joe from more than 10 lengths off the pace to the front of the field by the top of the stretch. From there, Welch and the Sid-Gray-trained Go Go Tommy Joe extended the lead to more than five lengths.

Code's Decree wired the field in the Alberta Oaks. Dowhatuthinksright won the Sturgeon River.

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