Venue: Grande Prairie Racecourse, Alberta, Canada
Post Time: 2:55 PM MT (Race 6)
Purse: $10,000 Starter Stakes
Distance: 5½ Furlongs (Dirt)
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds & Upward
Conditions: Must have started for a claiming price of $6,250 or less in 2024/25 or started twice on a Class B track
Race Overview
The Sprint Series Leg One Stakes kicks off Grande Prairie’s summer sprint championship with a competitive field of six geldings, each bringing a mix of class, grit, and regional pedigree. With speed-favoring conditions and experienced jockey-trainer pairings, this five-and-a-half furlong dash promises a tightly contested finish.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
| PP | Horse Name | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire) |
| 1 | El Dorado Storm (BC) | 7/G | J. O. Rocha | T. Robson | Coast Guard – Kula Girl, by Hesabull |
| 2 | Saburo’s Grace (PA) | 5/G | G. Gordon | L. W. Magnuson | Saburo – Miz Graycee, by Mizzen Mast |
| 3 | Walktheline (CA) | 7/G | A. Larios | D. Oberholtzer | Liaison – Ginger Light, by Colony Light |
| 4 | Ekati’s Zoom Zoom (TX) | 4/G | A. Powell | J. Depew | Tale of Ekati – Don’t Change Me, by Warrior’s Reward |
| 5 | Crown Ruler (KY) | 7/G | T. Simpson | G. Marks | Tizway – Political Prophet, by Mineshaft |
| 6 | Fast Eh (AB) | 7/G | R. Lunan | D. Davies | Fast Anna – Wendy’s Proud, by Philanthropist |
Top Contenders & Insights
El Dorado Storm (PP1)
Trainer: Trevor Robson, known for prepping older geldings for early speed
Pedigree: Coast Guard progeny excel in short sprints; dam line adds durability
Jockey: Rocha has a strong record breaking from the rail at Grande Prairie
Form: Consistent starter with sharp gate speed and tactical positioning
Saburo’s Grace (PP2)
Trainer: Lyle Magnuson, a stakes-winning conditioner with a knack for claiming-level sprinters
Pedigree: Saburo over Mizzen Mast suggests turf versatility and late kick
Jockey: Garfield Gordon, one of Alberta’s most reliable sprint riders
Form: Recent bullet work over 4f; could stalk and pounce
Ekati’s Zoom Zoom (PP4)
Trainer: Jim Depew, excels with Texas-bred imports
Pedigree: Tale of Ekati offspring often show explosive early fractions
Jockey: Powell is aggressive and well-suited to front-running types
Form: Lightly raced 4YO with upside and improving Beyer figures
Pedigree Trends
Tizway and Tale of Ekati lines bring proven sprint class from Kentucky and New York
Fast Anna (sire of Fast Eh) adds raw speed but may lack finishing punch
Saburo and Liaison offer stamina and versatility, ideal for off-the-pace runners
Win: El Dorado Storm – rail draw, consistent form, and strong pedigree
Place: Ekati’s Zoom Zoom – improving 4YO with early speed advantage
Show: Saburo’s Grace – tactical trip and late kick potential
Exotic Plays
Exacta Box: 1–2–4
Trifecta: 1–4–2
Longshot Alert: Walktheline (PP3) – veteran with back class and sneaky closing ability
