Youngsters square off in stakes

EDMONTON, Alberta - The 2000 Alberta Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society yearling sale graduates hope to show off their talents in Sunday's Sales Stakes at Northlands Park.

The colts and geldings and the fillies will each shoot for $50,000 in their divisions, both at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Dance Me Free, who won the Edmonton Juvenile on Aug. 1 for trainer Sid Gray, heads a field of nine in the colts' division but has drawn the outside post. Peter Wong retains the mount.

A British Columbia-bred, Dance Me Free sold for $13,500 but already has banked $26,138 thanks to his Juvenile triumph and a runner-up allowance finish.

Finishing third in the Juvenile was Onastar, who is trained by Ron Burrell and will be ridden by Desmond Bryan.

Joe Fenrich and Don Danard purchased Onastar for $3,200, but lost him in his first start via a $20,000 claim by Dennis and Jackie Kolesar and Kathy and Ted Myles.

Drawing the rail was Bo N' Aero, who was bought for $1,800 and has earned $10,143.

The filly division has attracted a field of seven, with Code's Decree appearing dominant after a second-place finish in the Princess Margaret and a victory over $20,000 claimers in two starts.

Code's Decree drew post 3 and will be ridden by McGregor.

Chapel Lites was entered in the sale but later was sold privately and has gone on to earn $13,363. A winner of her second, and most recent, start, Chapel Lights will break from the rail under Leanne Noel. Also coming off a victory in her second career outing is Brass to Diamonds. Jaime Santos will ride.