Oaks lures top fillies from two provinces

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Alberta's top 3-year-old filly will meet Saskatchewan's top 3-year-old filly in Sunday's Assiniboia Oaks at Assiniboia Downs. The 1 1/16-mile race has attracted a field of seven and will carry a purse of $30,000.

Representing Alberta will be Little Lolitta, who is trained by Don Gilkyson.

Little Lolitta has won 5 of 9 lifetime starts, including victories this year in the Sonoma and Northlands Oaks at Northlands Park as well as a dead heat for the win in the Lilac at Stampede Park.

A daughter of Regal Remark, Little Lolitta most recently finished second in the Edmonton Distaff in her first attempt against older mares. Likely to part of the pace Sunday, Little Lolitta will break from the outside under Alan Cuthbertson.

Ms. Lady Rose, the pride of Saskatchewan, is trained by Fern Zdunick.

Ms. Lady Rose also has posted 5 wins from 9 career starts, with victories this year in the Parkland Heritage and James Leakos at Marquis Downs. Also likely to be close to the pace, Ms. Lady Rose will break from post 2 under Robert May.

Jack Robertson will saddle the entry of Frisky Lover and Love Play for Stronach Stable. Both will be making their second local starts.

Frisky Lover, who set the pace against older mares in the Winnipeg Sun before fading to finish fifth, will be ridden by Robert Munoz.

Love Play, who finished fourth in the Jack Hardy, should take up a stalking trip under jockey Rohan Singh.

Clint Willson claimed Step's Mischief out of her last start and she will try a route of ground for the first time. She also should be stalking the pace under Jerry Pruitt.

Maui Money, who is trained by Vern Bigham, has won her last two races. She will break from the rail and should get a ground-saving trip behind the speed under Tim Gardiner.

Trainer Ardell Sayler will send out the race's only legitimate closer, Pettycashyou, who will be ridden by Anderson Ward.