Will 'Justice' finally be served?

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - American Justice hasn't won a race since capturing the Grade 3 Premiers here in October 2000. That shouldn't stop local fans from making him a solid choice over 10 other older horses Sunday in the 1 1/16-mile Lions Gate allowance, a race for 3-year-olds and up who haven't won a stakes in 2002.

American Justice missed all of 2001 with a bowed tendon, but he appeared as good as ever in his second start this year, when he came from 15 lengths behind to finish second by a head to Work Visa in an allowance race Aug. 18.

American Justice then finished fourth as the favorite in the Randall Plate and third to Lord Nelson in the Winston Churchill. His trainer, Rick Kamps, was confident going into this year's 1 3/8-mile Premiers, but American Justice ran an unusual race and finished fourth.

American Justice usually makes one good run at the end of his races, but in the Premiers he ran closer to the lead than usual. Not surprisingly, he tired late.

"Chris [Loseth] said that he just took off on him and he couldn't get him to take back," said Kamps. "It certainly wasn't our plan for him to run like that, and hopefully he'll run his usual race Sunday."

Jazzy Yacht is the only other stakes winner in the race, and he's been stakes placed twice this year. In his most recent start he finished second to Eternal Secrecy in a $20,000 claiming race Oct. 19. Steve Bryant takes over as trainer.

Irish Pleasure was very sharp winning a $35,000 optional sprint in his last start and runs well on an off track.

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