Asher in line for fourth stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa - Asher will be heavily favored to score her fourth stakes win of the year when she heads a field of seven fillies and mares in the 1 1/16-mile $50,000 Wild Rose Handicap at Prairie Meadows on Saturday night.

Asher scored an easy three-length victory in the Diamond Trail Stakes here at a mile and 70 yards May 19 under jockey Sidney LeJeune in her last start. She also won two stakes at Oaklawn this winter for trainer Ron Moquett. Asher's only two losses this year have come against graded stakes company.

Overall, Asher has won six of her 23 career starts, good for $238,943 in earnings for her owner, Pepper Tree Farms. Pepper Tree also runs Itsaprincess, who will be coupled with Asher in the Wild Rose. Asher will concede from seven to 11 pounds to her six opponents in the Wild Rose and will carry high weight of 123 pounds, including LeJeune, who has been aboard in all three of her wins this year.

Due to Win, who finished second in the Diamond Trail, again looks to be the main danger to Asher. Trainer Eddie Ruiz has named Luis Quinonez to ride Due to Win at 116 pounds Saturday.