Maiden looks tough in stakes

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Archery, who is a maiden, could be favored in the $50,000 Lassie Stakes at Hastings Saturday. The 6 1/2-furlong feature drew seven horses and goes as the sixth race.

Archery, who is trained by Dino Condilenios, has run well in both of her starts. She finished third to subsequent stakes winner Dancing Allstar when she debuted in a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race, and she finished a close second in the $53,000 Timber Music Stakes.

Condilenios likes the way she's coming up to Saturday's race.

"I like her a lot," he said. "She should run as good as last time, if not better."

Archery was ridden by Dave Wilson in both of her starts. With Wilson at Northlands Park to ride Monashee in the $100,000 Edmonton Distaff, Frank Fuentes has picked up the mount.

Rosada, trained by Barb Heads, took a substantial step forward in her second start to easily win a maiden special weight race going six furlongs Aug. 4. With leading rider Mario Gutierrez in the irons, Rosada led from start to finish to beat a couple of promising fillies, Dancing Melody and next-out winner Diamond Berries. Rosada finished fourth when she debuted in the Timber Music.

Gutierrez will ride Rosada in the Lassie.

Sophisticated Sis, who is trained by Sid Martin, ships in from Assiniboia Downs where she finished third in the Debutante Stakes Aug. 6.