Juvenile champs meet in stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Something has to give when Dandy Dora and What R the Odds hook up Sunday in the $50,000 Emerald Downs at Hastings.

The 6 1/2-furlong feature for 3-year-old fillies attracted eight horses and goes as the ninth race.

Dandy Dora and What R the Odds were the champion juvenile fillies in their respective provinces last year. Dandy Dora won all three of her starts at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta, including two stakes races. Her only loss was in the $75,000 Permian Basin at Zia Park, where she broke in the air and was injured.

What R the Odds won 3 of her 4 starts at Hastings in 2008 and she dominated in her two stakes wins. Her lone defeat came at the hands of local juvenile sensation El Sinaloense when she debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race in June.

Both Dandy Dora and What R the Odds led every step of the way in their wins, and there is a good chance they will hook up early in the Emerald Downs.

What R the Odds is coming up to her first start as a 3-year-old in great shape, according to trainer Mel Snow. She hasn't started since she easily handled P. S. Good N Ready in the $50,000 Lassie on Aug. 23.

"She has worked excellent all spring and she has been acting just like she did last year," Snow said. "She seems to have matured over the winter. I guess we'll find out how much on Sunday."

Fernando Perez rides What R the Odds.

Dandy Dora, who is trained by Greg Tracy, impressed the clockers when she worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.80 seconds on May 2.

Pedro Alvarado was aboard for the work and he will ride Dandy Dora on Sunday.

P. S. Good N Ready is the top money earner in the field, with $138,992. She earned a big chunk of it by winning the $107,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity. P. S. Good N Ready also has good speed. However, trainer Cindy Krasner doesn't expect her to be near the lead on Sunday.

"We're forced to take her back," Krasner said. "I don't think it will be an issue for her. We'll let her make one run, and if she gets there, she gets there."

Frank Fuentes rides P. S. Good N Ready.

Fashionable Affair and Hard Core Candy figure to benefit the most if the speed gets carried away up front.