Yarbo may shake free this time

CALGARY, Alberta - Five older horses will chase a $15,000 purse on what could be the final full program of half-milers at Stampede Park on Sunday. Yarbo and Ka Blui both make their second outing of the young season in a $17,500 claimer, which serves as the feature of an eight-race program.

The races are scheduled to stretch out to six furlongs here on Wednesday.

Yarbo raced a week ago in a $15,000 claimer restricted to 4-year-olds, and the Ontario-bred speedster may be loose on the lead here. Yarbo broke on top in his first start but was forced to duel with Kinest, who drove up on his inside after a slow start. The duel produced a 21.20-second quarter with neither horse getting a breather, and it cost both runners as Duvernay Dancer reeled them in at the head of the lane for an easy tally.

Ka Blui looms as the main threat to collar Yarbo. He comes off a nice score over $13,000 claimers under Desmond Bryan here March 24. Ka Blui was in perfect striking position along the rail that day and rallied to defeat the four-furlong specialist Wartock by three-quarters of a length.

Torch of Freedom drops a notch after a wide journey versus $22,000 company last Sunday, while Gusso lunged at the start of an allowance dash that day and lost all chance.

Allright makes his first start of the campaign from the outside post and sports a decent work tab for trainer Dale Greenwood.