Fillies prep for Mount Royal

CALGARY, Alberta - Testy Hussy and Miss Emily both tested stakes competition last year following impressive maiden victories but had the misfortune of running against Littlemiss Allison, the undefeated champion 2-year-old filly in Alberta,. They should find softer company in Sunday's featured seventh race at Stampede Park.

The six-furlong sprint drew a field of eight 3-year-old fillies and serves as a prep for the May 4 Mount Royal, a race Littlemiss Allison has been pointing for since arriving from Texas, where she won the $50,000 Sam Houston Oaks in her first start of the season.

Sunday's $32,000 optional claimer provides an opportunity for trainers to gauge the progress of their fillies.

Testy Hussy and Miss Emily both have three five-furlong works under their belts in preparation for their seasonal debuts and face several rivals who have already started.

Their fittest foe is the speedy Belle Cherie Marie, who shipped in for trainer Greg Tracy following a winter campaign in Louisiana and Florida.

* True Metropolitan, Footprint, and Teagues Fight head a list of 21 nominees to the April 26 Stampede Park Sprint Championship. Alpine Garden and Tanika are among 16 older fillies and mares nominated to the M.R. Jenkins Memorial scheduled for April 27. Both stakes will be contested at six furlongs.