Monashee one tough invader

EDMONTON, Alberta - Monashee, who has been punishing her divisional rivals at Hastings this season, looks to extend her dominion eastward as she faces six other fillies and mares in Sunday's $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff here at Northlands Park.

After finishing second in her seasonal debut, Monashee has reeled off three consecutive victories, all against stakes company, with the most impressive being her 13 3/4-length dismantling of the field in the July 3 Senate Appointee Handicap. Most recently, Monashee prevailed by a neck in the 1 1/8-mile British Columbia Cup Distaff under 125 pounds, and Northlands racing secretary Fred Hilts has seen fit to giver her an identical weight assignment for the 1 1/16-mile Edmonton Distaff.

A Kentucky-bred 4-year-old owned by Ole Nielsen and trained by Tracy McCarthy, Monashee will have regular rider Dave Wilson in the irons here Sunday.

Leading the local hopefuls is Braetta, who is trained by Don Gilkyson.

Braetta, a 7-year-old by Brass Minister, upset the Aug. 11 Madamoiselle at Northlands, scoring by 1 1/2 lengths at better than 10-1. The Madamoiselle marked Braetta's fourth victory and second stakes win of the year.

With a bankroll of $119,398 this season, Braetta is the top 2006 earner in the field. With an assignment of 119 pounds, she receives six pounds from Monashee. Desmond Bryan gets the call to ride.