Monashee's lone threat: Slewpast

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Monashee towers over the five fillies and mares that she will be facing in the $50,000 Senate Appointee Handicap at Hastings on Saturday. The only horse who would appear to have a realistic chance of upsetting Monashee in the 6 1/2-furlong feature is Slewpast.

The 2005 horse of the year in British Columbia, Monashee is shooting for her sixth straight stakes win. She has been the odds-on favorite in her last five races, and is going to be a prohibitive favorite Saturday.

Trained by Tracy McCarthy, Monashee was a very easy winner over Slewpast in the Brighouse Belles on May 6. It was her first start since she was turned out last August with a career-threatening illness. Going into the race, McCarthy just wasn't sure what to expect.

"She's pretty amazing," said McCarthy. "What can I say?

She was well within herself, and she couldn't have come back any better."

Monashee will pick up two pounds off her win in the Brighouse Belles and will shoulder high weight of 124 pounds. She toted 125 pounds in her last two wins in 2006, so the weight shouldn't be a problem. She will be ridden by David Wilson

Slewpast is one very nice 5-year-old mare, but she has not beaten Monashee since she won the Lassie Stakes as a 2-year-old in 2004. Since then, the only female to beat Monashee at Hastings has been Spirit to Spare, in the Vancouver Sun last year.

Trained by Robbie Anderson, Slewpast has won 8 of 19 starts and has banked $291,555 for her owners, Foundation Racing Stables. She will likely stalk Virtuous Lady, who figures to set the pace.

Starlite Strike, Socorro County, and Galica round out the field.