Montero, She's Italian rematched

EDMONTON, Alberta - Fresh off of her giant-killer performance here in the Wild Rose, Montero looks for her second consecutive stakes victory in Sunday's $50,000 John Patrick Handicap for fillies and mares at Northlands Park.

On June 30 Montero easily handled her eight rivals to take the $75,000 Wild Rose by 3 3/4 lengths. Among those who followed Montero to the finish line in that 6 1/2-furlong race was She's Italian, who was on a six-race winning streak at the time and had not been beaten since last Aug. 12.

Montero has always been a quality filly, but her Wild Rose victory marked the first time in six attempts that she was able to win a stakes.

Vancouver-based, Montero made her initial visit to Northlands Park as a 2-year-old in 2004, finishing third in the Bird of Pay Stakes before failing to light the board in the Freedom of the City.

Racing secretary Fred Hilts has assigned Montero one more pound as a result of her last victory and the 5-year-old mare will carry 118 pounds in the one-mile John Patrick. Although she has never gone off at less than 2-1, Montero may well be favored Sunday afternoon.

She's Italian let down legions of fans, who bet her down to 1-2, in the Wild Rose, hoping to see her extend her winning streak. While her trip was not trouble free, She's Italian appeared lethargic in the stretch and was outpaced by 35-1 shot Dixietwostepper for second. At high weight of 123 pounds, however, She's Italian spotted Montero and Dixietwostepper six and nine pounds. In the John Patrick, she will carry 121 pounds.