Hanselina looks sharp of late

EDMONTON, Alberta - Hanselina, trained by Steve Bryant, invades from the West Coast for Saturday's $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff at Northlands Park. The 1 1/16-mile Distaff is the second race of the Canadian Derby card.

Honors in two other major races have already gone to invaders here this summer, with Overact winning the $100,000 Sonoma for 3-year-old fillies and Illusive Force capturing the Westerner.

Since coming west from Belmont Park, Hanselina has won the 1 1/8-mile Senate Appointee Handicap at Hastings and was second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the 1 1/16-mile Boeing Handicap at Emerald Downs.

Hanselina drew post 3 in the field of six fillies and mares. She will be ridden by David Wilson at top weight of 122 pounds.

A Shaky Start has had a fine season, with stakes victories in the John Patrick and Marc Jenkins handicaps. She has not been worse than third in her six starts this campaign. A Shaky Start lost to Sweet Monarch in the Madamoiselle here two weeks ago. She will be ridden by her regular rider, Leanne Painter, at 121 pounds.

Sweet Monarch, who was Alberta's top 3-year-old filly in 2002, will be ridden by Rickey Walcott in quest of her second straight stakes victory.

Another invader, Remiewaterbluz, finished fourth in her first Northlands outing in the Madamoiselle. With Shannon Beauregard up, she drew the rail.

Think Fast, ridden by Richard Hamel, is coming off two consecutive optional claiming wins.