Homecoming for Excessively Sweet

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Excessively Sweet, Saskatchewan's champion 2-year-old filly of 2005, returns to Marquis Downs following three starts this spring at Stampede Park and should be the prohibitive favorite in Friday's $6,000 Old Dutch Handicap.

Excessively Sweet, with a bankroll of $31,979, has earned more money than her five foes combined and may never be caught in the Old Dutch, a six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.

A winner of 4 of her 6 starts, Excessively Sweet won both the Saskatchewan Futurity and the Woodland Heritage here last year before failing as the favorite in the Prairie Lily Sales Stakes.

This year, Excessively Sweet ran three times for a $12,000 claiming price in Alberta and won her last two starts, both at the Old Dutch distance, one via disqualification.

Her latest score was a front-running effort off a two-month layoff, so Excessively Sweet should be set for another top effort. Tim Moccasin will ride Excessively Sweet, who is owned by R J Stable.

Shadazzle ran second in all three of her starts at 2, finishing behind Excessively Sweet twice and then besting that one by 4 1/2 lengths in the Prairie Lily over seven furlongs. Shadazzle has run just once in 2006, a dominating 11-length maiden victory here June 16, and her lack of experience this year may mean she is second-best once again.

Ronmar arrives from Assiniboia Downs, where she won her maiden on May 14 for a $5,000 price at five furlongs. Originally from Turf Paradise, Ronmar has some speed, so she may take some starch out of Excessively Sweet early.

Jackpot Judy won her maiden last year but has not threatened in her two other starts, including a 9 1/4-length drubbing in her only race at this meeting.

The maidens Dance Lady Dance and Mexican Cutie round out the field.