Ms. Lady Rose holds all the cards

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Ms. Lady Rose will be looking to reassert her dominance of the 3-year old filly division here in Sunday's $6,000 Classic Handicap.

A winner of 3 of 4 starts this season, including an impressive six-length score last out in the James Leakos Sophomore, Ms. Lady Rose has never finished worse than second in seven tries and has earned $21,427 for owner Gerald Wilson.

The Classic Handicap is at one mile, the distance at which Ms. Lady Rose has been victorious in her past two outings.

Ms. Lady Rose scored a half-length allowance victory in 1:41.20 and then, in the Leakos Sophomore, went wire to wire in an impressive 1:39.60 with the finish never in doubt.

Leading rider Isiah Sala again gets the call from trainer Fern Zdunick.

Rapadash is the only filly to ever finish ahead of Ms. Lady Rose, beating her by 2 1/4 lengths in last year's Western Heritage and by a nose in this year's Marquis Oaks .

After a brief stint on the vet's list, Rapadash was no match for Ms. Lady Rose when second in the Leakos Sophomore, even though she had a string of impressive works. Serge Rocheleau retains the mount.

Red Vil Do was a nonthreatening fourth in the Leakos but had put Ms. Lady Rose to the test in her June 23 allowance score, finishing second, beaten just a half-length.

That strong effort likely took some wind out of Red Vil Do's sails, so a rebound effort may be looming. Hugh Huston, known for his aggressive front-running riding style, will be aboard.

Completing the field will be Sing on Stage, Bold 'n Bashful, and Miss Canuck.