EDMONTON, ALB—AUGUST 6, 2018—Away well under jockey Blandford Stewart, The Western Special won a head bob over Knotty Knita Monday to set the fastest qualifying time for the Alberta Stallion Stakes Derby at Northlands Park.

The eight fastest qualifiers, from two trial races conducted, will return on Wednesday, August 15th to vie for the winner's share of a $20,000-est. purse going 330 yards.

Conditioned by Buckey Stockwell, The Western Special completed the 330 yard task in :17.161 seconds with a 10 mph tailwind to set the top mark.

It was the first win in 12 career starts for the Westwind Oilfield Services owned daughter of Special Fly Bye. Breed by Double T Ranch, The Western Special is out of Mis Dashing Vana by Dashing Val. She has earned $7,557.

Runner-up in the second trial Knotty Knita, an Oklahoma-bred daughter of leading Canadian sire First Timber, held on for the second fastest clocking of :17.178 seconds. Ridden by Cesar Cervantes, the graded-placed filly brushed at the start.

A homebred for owner-trainer and breeder Wesley T. Oulton, Knotty Knita has compiled a (16) 2-2-2 record and banked $17,299. She was third in the Canada QH Cup Futurity(G3) last year. The sorrel filly is out of Ima Jess Streaker by Streakin La Jolla.

Another homebred saddled by Oulton, O Shiver Me Timbers scored a nose victory over Thisbudsforyou in the first trial to set the third fastest time of :17.237 seconds.

It was first win in nine starts for the First Timber gelding out of Sass N Dass by El Rey Burner. Ridden by jockey Cesar Cervantes, O Shiver Me Timbers has earned $5,527.

For the complete list of Alberta Stallion Stakes Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.