Monashee leaves rivals little hope

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Monashee will be a prohibitive favorite to notch her 11th straight stakes win in the Grade 3, $125,000 Ballerina Breeders' Cup at Hastings Saturday. Due to Monashee's dominance, only three horses will line up against her in the 1 1/8-mile feature.

Monashee is coming off of an easy win in the Delta Colleen Handicap under 130 pounds, spotting up to 18 pounds to the rest of the field. In the Ballerina, Monashee and her three opponents will each carry 123 pounds.

A 5-year-old gray mare by Wolf Power, Monashee has won 16 races from 21 starts and has earned $631,330. Trained by Tracy McCarthy, she will be ridden by Dave Wilson.

Slewpast finished a close second in the Ballerina last year. Her trainer, Robbie Anderson, has no illusions about the outcome Saturday, though.

"We know we're running for second money," he said. "She ran a very good race last year but there wasn't a Monashee in there."

Slewpast is coming off of a third-place finish in the Delta Colleen under 115 pounds. She has decent speed but Anderson said he isn't planning on sending her to the front.

"We're just going to follow the gray horse around there," he said.

Frank Fuentes rides Slewpast.

Trainer Troy Taylor has entered Lady Raj with the goal of picking up black type in a graded race. Lady Raj finished second in the Delta Collen carrying 114 pounds.

"There is a 16-pound shift in the weights," said Taylor. "We aren't going to beat her. A little black type would be nice, though."

Selita's Dream, who was no match for Monashee in two races at Northlands Park, rounds out the field.