Battle Lines Drawn In Alberta

• Keith Clark gets the rail and that makes him the one to beat with Comeshomeearly. She broke her maiden last weekend here, but she only came home in 31.1. She'll have to pick it up some to seal the deal against these, but this is KC in stakes action - you know she'll be bringing it.

   

• Connie Kolthammer looks second best here with Outlaw Pot Of Gold. The filly has a pair of 'schooling' wins, but she's really still a maiden. A miscue in her latest took her out of it early, but if she keeps it together in this one she'll have a chance.

   

• Dan Sifert's Smoky Moon to finish third over Rod Hennessy's Julie Caesar.

• Blue Star Beauty comes in here with her perfect 6-for-6 record and a mark of 1:54.4 - by far the fastest freshman filly in Alberta this season. Her last five wins have all been stake romps, averaging a win margin of over five lengths each time. Let's face it - it looks like they're racing for the place in this one.   

   

• You have to like the chances of Cool One being up close with her inside post. Key her for second.

   

• Outlaw Star Maker looks best of the rest if she stays flat. She does show some nice speed three back.  

   

• What was going on with Popcorn last time? She had never been worse than second, up to that point, but she just didn't seem to be on her game at all in her NP debut. Look for Jamie Gray to have her in better form this time around.

• Cowboy Caper does not want to find any monsters on the race track in this one. After rolling offstride last weekend, as the even-money-favorite, he'll have to keep it all together if he's going to get the biggest piece of this pie. He shows that he can be the best if he behaves - put him on top.

   

• Another one with breaking issues Hollywood Hotel looked fine, in his last outing, winning from the outside post. That’s tough to do for any horse, here at NP, but for a young horse with breaking issues? Hudon may have him figured out. Beware!  

   

• It'll be 'first time' Brandon Campbell on Blue Star Quest, with the rail advantage, making him a huge threat. Include him in your top three.

   

• Arroway has shown signs of wanting to be a player, but he's come up short in recent efforts. Remember Cutting's Super Final upset with Kramers Man in 2011? This colt, with Chappell in charge, will be upset-minded. Count on it!

• Bobby Clark amazes me every time he gets up on one and wins in stakes action. For the limited amount of time he spends in the sulky, each year, he sure gets along OK when he gets the call, from Brother Keith, to drive one. Minettas Nightstar was much the best last week against most of these. Go to her again.

   

• Im Sheila was used hard early to make the lead last time out. From post three she should fare better this time around. Your exactor factor...

   

• Keith Clark will have Dewinton Destroyer within striking distance at some point. You have to include her.

   

• Clintons Keepsake gets the rail this time and that alone makes her a threat to hit the Superfecta.

• Wrangler Betonme has just been crushing them this season for trainer Glenda Smith. With 6 wins and a second, from just 7 starts, this colt has a mark of 1:54 over Lacombe, making him the one to beat in this big money event. He'll take all the action on the tote board and rightfully so.

   

• It’s 'first time' Jeff Stone, in the sulky, on Outlaw Beacon. You'll get value and you'll have a shot at an upset with this guy. A winner of his last two stake events, don't be afraid to use him in the top spot with 'Boomer' in the bike.

   

• Connie Kolthammer has done an amazing job with her rookies all season long and she'll he heard from again in this one with Smooth Criminal. The son of Blue Burner comes off a very nice second place finish to my top choice here. Definitely one to think about.

   

• Playbook comes in off a rock solid 1:56.3 score last weekend at NP. Look for him to try to find a seat, up close early, to be around late.   

• Caress Of Steel retains the services of driver Jeff Stone, for this one, after salvaging fifth against much better in his latest try. If he can repeat that performance he's the one to beat in here.

   

• Tap Room can go with these and if the trip is there, he's a threat to win it all. Look for Hennessy to launch him early.

   

• The only victory for Freddy B Reddy this season was a gate-to-wire score in Lacombe. 'First time' Campbell... The rail... It's go time!

   

• Tainsh Jr. teams what should be a long-shot play here in Cenalta Spirit. Do not rule him out!   

• Silver Eagle has never been worse than second, when starting from the rail, in Alberta - he gets it here and he’ll be using it to his full advantage. He was finishing with all kinds of pace last week so you know he's still at the top of his game. Put him on top!

   

• Unraced at two Hollywood Warrior will be looking to make it four-in-a-row right here. He will be gunning for the lead, but will he get it? If he gets it, will he get a breather? I don't see him having an easy time in this one. Use him for second.

   

• Wannabe Cowboy is your dark one. If the early speed is there... If he can stay close throughout... He could finish like a bandit and steal it all away. He's your upset factor.

   

• Post eight is tough to overcome. Bachelor Pad has that outside post, but he also has a barn-mate, with good early speed, towards the inside though and that could help. The son of Brandons Cowboy will be heard from early, but will he be making noise late? You must include him in your top four.

• Who should romp? Race 5 Blue Star Beauty at 1-5 or less!
• Who could surprise? Race 9 Outlaw Beacon at 6-1 or better!

To view the full list of entries for Northlands' Saturday card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Northlands Park

 (with files from Northlands)