Race Info
Track: Evergreen Park (Grande Prairie, Alberta)
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Post Time: TBA (Afternoon Card)
Distance: 6 Furlongs (Dirt)
Purse: C$13,000
Eligibility: Alberta-bred Colts & Geldings, 4-Year-Olds & Upward
Sponsor: Alberta Community Thoroughbred Racing Association (A.C.T.R.A.)
Race Overview
The A.C.T.R.A. Alberta Bred Stakes is a restricted sprint for older Alberta-bred males, offering a showcase for regional talent and a proving ground for horses aiming to step up into open company. With a modest purse but strong local prestige, this race often features seasoned veterans, homegrown sires, and trainers with deep roots in Western Canada.
Projected Field & Analysis
(Note: Official entries have not been released; this preview is based on recent form, nominations, and regional trends.)
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire | Notable |
| The River Grey | R. Zenteno | Dale Saunders | Going Commando | 2024 winner; 6-time stakes-placed |
| Prairie Raider | N. Knight | Lyle Magnuson | Cape Canaveral | Speedy front-runner; 3-for-4 at Evergreen |
| Northern Buckshot | K. Nicholls | Greg Tracy | Quest | Late-running style; excels at 6 furlongs |
| Alberta Chrome | S. Morales | Shelley Brown | California Chrome | Lightly raced 5YO; big upside |
| Whiskey West | D. Balgobin | Tim Rycroft | Whiskey Wisdom | Veteran campaigner; 8 career wins |
| Grande Prairie Gold | C. Husbands | Joan Petrowski | Goldencents | Local fan favorite; consistent in allowance ranks |
Top Contenders to Watch
The River Grey
Trainer: Dale Saunders
Jockey: Ricardo Zenteno
Pedigree: Going Commando × River Nymph
Why He’s Dangerous: Defending champion with strong local form; tactical speed and experience make him the one to beat.
Prairie Raider
Trainer: Lyle Magnuson
Jockey: Neville Knight
Pedigree: Cape Canaveral × Prairie Song
Why He’s Dangerous: Blistering early pace; if he gets loose on the lead, he’s tough to reel in.
Northern Buckshot
Trainer: Greg Tracy
Jockey: Keishan Nicholls
Pedigree: Quest × Northern Light
Why He’s Dangerous: Closer with a strong late kick; ideal setup if pace collapses.
Pedigree Highlights
Going Commando, sire of The River Grey, is a proven Alberta stallion known for producing durable sprinters.
Cape Canaveral, sire of Prairie Raider, brings elite speed influence from the A.P. Indy line.
California Chrome, sire of Alberta Chrome, adds national pedigree power to the local scene.
Goldencents, sire of Grande Prairie Gold, is a top dirt sprint influence with Breeders’ Cup credentials.
Trainer & Jockey Insights
Dale Saunders is a veteran Alberta conditioner with multiple stakes wins at Evergreen Park.
Greg Tracy is one of Western Canada’s most successful trainers, especially with closers in sprint stakes.
Neville Knight and Ricardo Zenteno are two of the most experienced riders on the Alberta B-circuit.
Expect Prairie Raider to set the early fractions, with The River Grey stalking just behind. If the pace holds, The River Grey should pounce late. But if the speed collapses, Northern Buckshot could come flying down the lane.
Top 3 Picks:
The River Grey
Prairie Raider
Northern Buckshot
Longshot to Watch: Alberta Chrome – lightly raced and bred to improve
