EDMONTON, ALB—AUGUST 15, 2018—Knotty Knita, under jockey Cesar Cervantes, got up in time to defeat fastest qualifier The Western Special by a head in the $21,368(US) Alberta Stallion Stakes Derby this evening (Aug. 15) at Northlands Park. Machete finished a neck back in a blanket finish to take third.

A homebred owned-and-trained by Wesley T. Oulton, Knotty Knita completed the 350 yards in :17.128 seconds into a 5 mph crosswind. It was the first career stakes win for the daughter of leading Canadian sire First Timber.

Bred from the Streakin La Jolla mare Ima Jess A Streaker, Knotty Knita has compiled a (17) 3-2-2 record and the Alberta Stallion Stakes Derby winners' purse valued at $9,916(US) boosted her bankroll to $26,915.

Last season at two, Knotty Knita was third in both the Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity(G3) and the Evergreen Park Juvenile Challenge(G3).

Oulton also owns-and-stands her sire, First Timber, at Rolling O Ranches near Olds, Alberta. The son of world champion Oak Tree Special has sired 17% stakes horses from starters with earners of more than $1.1 million and average earnings per starter of over $18,200.

Runner-up The Western Special picked up $3,633(US) for owner Westwind Oilfield Services and trainer Buckey Stockwell. Double T Ranch bred the daughter of multiple stakes sire Special Fly Bye in Alberta from the Western Dash mare Miss Dashing Vana. She has earnings of $11,300.

Machete, a gelding by multiple stakes sire Wild On Corona, races for owners Janice and Barry Sather and is conditioned by Janice. Jockey Alejandro Hernandez had the riding call aboard the gray gelding from the FDD Dynasty mare Queens Royal Dynasty. Bred by Blair Anton, Machete has earned $2,137(US) to bring his bankroll to $8,523.

Knotty Knita returned $11.60 to win, $5.40 to place and $4.50 to show. The Western Special paid $5.50 and $5 and Machete rewarded backers with a $12.60 show payoff.

Atomic Blondie, SS Sunny Days, Thisbudsforyou, Alberta Krome, O Shiver Me Timbers, Miracle Candy Girl and Mr Eleanor completed the field.