Broken Hearted looks solid

EDMONTON, Alberta Broken Hearted won the 1 1/16-mile Northlands Oaks on July 19, and she seeks her second straight stakes score at that distance in Saturdays Sonoma at Northlands Park. Broken Hearted drew the rail as the 119-pound highweight in the Sonoma, which attracted just six 3-year-old fillies.

Despite offering the first $100,000 purse of the meet, the Sonoma failed to lure West Coast nominees Dancing Allstar (who is running in Saturdays Duchess at Woodbine), Daymaker, or Heaven on Hold, and offers the locals an excellent chance at a rich payday.

The only shipper in the field is Chariot Chaser winner Lecturing Lynn, who stayed here following that sprint tally on July 4 and was no match for Broken Hearted in her first route try last out. Lecturing Lynn set modest early fractions there as the hot favorite and gave way once Stephan Heiler asked Broken Hearted in earnest. Lecturing Lynn drew just outside her rival on Saturday and figures to be on or near the lead again, but remains suspect at the distance.

Broken Hearted, haltered for $25,000 by trainer Dale Greenwood at Laurel this winter, has flourished since arriving in Alberta. Broken Hearted finished full of run in both her victories here, and a repeat of her Oaks win would probably be good enough for a hat trick.

Briars Flash finished strongly in the Oaks to get within a half-length of Broken Hearted at the wire after yet another wide trip.