Brown duo could pull an upset

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The likely favorites in Friday's $40,000 Dikeakos Architects Mademoiselle Handicap at Hastings are 2005 stakes winners Slewpast and Regal Pusher. Nevertheless, neither horse has ever gone around three turns, and they could be vulnerable in the 1 1/16-mile race. It's the meet's first middle-distance stakes race for 3-year-old fillies.

Trainer Jim Brown said he is hoping to pull off a minor upset in the six-horse field with either Mandi Tambi or Country Kat.

Country Kat finished third behind Sugar Pine, who is also entered, and Mandi Tambi in a $50,000 optional race on June 4. Country Kat was making her first start since Feb. 12, and considering the moderate fractions up front, it's not surprising that after making a move to reach contention at the quarter pole, she wasn't a serious factor during the late stages of the race.

Friday's feature shapes up completely different, however. Slewpast, Regal Pusher, and Fuchsia Gold have good speed, and the pace figures to be much quicker. Country Kat is also a proven horse at the distance, coming from far back to win the Fantasy Stakes last October.

Robert Skelly will ride Mandi Tambi, and Anthony Stephen will be aboard Country Kat.

Regal Pusher has won three in a row, and upset heavily favored Slewpast at Emerald Downs on May 29.