Beyers point out La Rocca in Sonoma Cap

EDMONTON, Alberta - Comparing Beyer Speed Figures makes La Rocca a standout in the $75,000 Sonoma Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at Northlands Park Sunday. The 1 1/16-mile feature drew seven horses and goes as the seventh race. The last three races are Quarter Horse stake races headed by the $66,538 Alberta Stallion Stakes Futurity, which wraps up the 11-race card.

In her last four starts, the lowest Beyer Figure earned by La Rocca was an 80 for her second-place finish in the Little Silver Stakes run on turf at Monmouth Park on May 24. The career-best figure by any of the horses in the field is a 79 by Ochoa, which also came on turf, at Woodbine in a first-level allowance race on June 6.

Running for trainer Mark Casse, La Rocca is coming off of a second-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile first-level allowance race at Woodbine on July 29. Following the race she was purchased by Peter Redekop and transferred to Terry Jordan's barn.

"We got her about 10 days ago," said Jordan. "She's all right. She seems pretty classy and she handled the track nicely when she trained over it this morning."

Jordan said that if everything goes according to plan, La Rocca would make her next start in the $125,000 B.C. Oaks at Hastings on Sept. 26. Quincy Welch will ride La Rocca.

One negative for La Rocca is that her two worst Beyer Speed Figures came over dirt, a 62 when she debuted at Gulfstream Park Jan. 24, and a 74 over a sloppy track in a maiden special weight race at Gulfstream on March 18.

Ochoa is also making her first start for a new trainer, Floyd Arthur. She was previously trained by Josie Carroll. From 10 starts under Carroll, Ochoa compiled a record of 1-3-1, and her lone win came at the Fair Grounds over dirt. In her most recent start she finished fifth in a first level-allowance race on turf at Woodbine July 9.

Leading rider Rickey Walcott has picked up the mount.

Miss Victoriana has won three of her five starts, and the first time she went around three turns she won the $71,000 Northland Oaks on July 19. Trained by Bruce Phelan, Miss Victoriana will run on Lasix for the first time, and from the looks of her sharp works leading into the race she appears to be ready for another big effort with Shannon Beauregard in the irons.

Bodgits Lady, Lemon Pepper and Hardcore Candy round out the field.