A wide-open sprint

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - A competitive field of 10 has been entered for Saturday's featured seventh race at Assiniboia Downs, an allowance/optional claiming event at six furlongs.

Silver Trooper was disqualified from first and placed sixth for causing interference away from the gate in his seasonal bow May 18 while meeting several of the rivals he will face again here.

Trained by Darla Singh and ridden by Rohan Singh, Silver Trooper probably will battle with Amersham for the early lead.

Never off the board in six starts this year, Amersham won his local debut by a nose over Speedy Treat on May 20. Speedy Treat will make his third start of the year Saturday.

Impressive when winning his maiden on May 12 despite traffic problems, Speedy Treat also got into trouble against Amersham on May 20 and a clean trip behind the speed here could help him to pull off an upset.

Kenyawin, Rim Dancer, and G And L Special finished fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively behind Silver Trooper in their last starts. All three will be making their second appearances of the season.

Stilaferd, coupled with Kenyawin, will make his first start of the year while Tejano Ruler, claimed for $14,000 in his 2002 debut last time out, makes his first start for new trainer Bryan Krone.

Rounding out the field will be the 3-year-olds Crown and Glory, who won his first start of the year, and Halo Alo, who will be trying older horses for the first time.

Another highlight of Saturday's card will see U Otabe Wild and Burlington House square off again in the first race for $20,000 claimers at six furlongs.

U Otabe Wild set the early pace and kept Burlington House at bay through the stretch when they last met here May 17.

Their rivals will include Latter Day Ace, fourth behind Kalfaari in his seasonal bow May 11; Gus Again, who was last year's top older Manitoba-bred horse and will be making his first start of 2002; and Royal Mac and Certified Coin, also making their seasonal bows.