Nessarose drops from stakes

EDMONTON, Alberta - Nessarose looks like she has found a soft spot in Sunday's featured optional $32,000 claimer, which has attracted a field of six 3-year-old fillies.

Trained by Greg Tracy and owned by Donver Stable, Nessarose will be in action for the first time since winning the Northlands Oaks in mid-July at Sunday's one-mile distance. Stephan Heiler has the return mount.

Nessarose was third, beaten a length, in the Penny Ridge, which was transplanted to Northlands when the final day of the Stampede Park meet was canceled this spring. A lightly raced Kentucky-bred filly, Nessarose had a banner year at 2 that saw her finish second against the boys in the Canadian Juvenile, won by Poor Iggy.

Canaberry, from the Deanne Davies stable, won her maiden here sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs Aug. 31. With Rickey Walcott aboard, she was the 4-5 favorite in that race.

Tres Netta Joe defeated $15,000 rivals in the mud in her last start. Tres Netta Joe has drawn the rail with Shannon Beauregard returning to ride for the first time since early May. Trained by Kelly Grieves, Tres Netta Joe also won against $17,500 maidens in a campaign that has seen her finish second on five occasions in the claiming ranks.

Mystical Dixie and Aly's Flyer each will carry a $32,000 claiming tag.

Aly's Flyer will make her Northlands debut after shipping in from Assiniboia Downs, where she won four races, including the one-mile Jack Hardy Handicap. Trainer Jared Brown has assigned Real Simard to ride.

Mystical Dixie will be shooting for her third victory of the year. She started this campaign with a victory over $25,000 claimers at Hastings and came here early this meet and won an optional $32,000 claimer.