Nielsen high on Ole’s Miss after Ross McLeod upset

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Owner Ole Nielsen of Canmor Farms was understandably excited after his Ole’s Miss upset Arabella’s Muse in a thrilling renewal of the $50,000 Ross McLeod at Hastings last Saturday. Nielsen may have been a bit overexuberant when he compared her with another horse he owns, Monashee, though. After all, Monashee won 14 stakes, including the Grade 3 British Columbia Oaks and the Grade 3 Ballerina twice.

Monashee’s first stakes win came late in her 3-year-old season in the Oaks. She was just about unbeatable as a 4- and 5-year-old, winning 11 straight stakes at Hastings and Northlands Park. She also could carry weight, packing 130 pounds when she won the Delta Colleen in 2007.

On the other hand, Ole’s Miss is a quick learner, winning the Boulevard Casino as a 2-year-old last year, and she might have been a triple stakes winner by now with a better trip when she stretched out to 1 1/16 miles in the $75,000 Fantasy last year.

Trainer Tracy McCarthy had a more sober assessment of how good Ole’s Miss might be. And to be fair to Nielsen, it was McCarthy’s husband, Chris Loseth, who supposedly told him that Ole’s Miss could be the best filly or mare he has ever owned.

“I’m not sure what Chris and Ole are drinking,” McCarthy said. “Ole’s Miss is a very special filly, but she has a long way to go before being compared to Monashee.”

The McLeod couldn’t have set up any better for Ole’s Miss. She trailed the field while Arabella’s Muse was battling through extreme fractions early in the race.

“I was jumping up and down when I saw the 21-and-change first quarter,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said the best thing about Ole’s Miss is her versatility.

“You can do anything with her,” McCarthy said. “We knew there was going to be a hot pace, so we were happy to let her settle early. The next time, we might have her lay a bit closer. It just depends on how the race sets up. I just love her running style.”

McCarthy also loved the generous win price of $18.90.

“With her record, I thought she would get a lot more respect.”

McCarthy said Ole’s Miss came out of the race “fantastic,” and that she was looking forward to running her in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Stakes on June 7 at Hastings.

Trainer Toni Cloutier also is pointing Arabella’s Muse to the Emerald Downs. She suffered her first loss in the McLeod, but it was impressive the way she fought back in the stretch after dueling through the quick fractions of 21.76 and 44.85 seconds.

“She was tired after the race,” Cloutier said. “But she’s bounced back, and she should move forward. I’m pretty happy there is a month between the two races. She really showed a lot of heart, and we’re very proud of her.”