Raylene: Sonoma, then derby?

EDMONTON, Alberta - Raylene, a winner of four of five stakes ventures this year, will carry 124 pounds in Saturday's $75,000 Sonoma at 1 1/16 miles, spotting her five challengers at least six pounds.

Trained by Rod Haynes for Calmar Stables and Ranch, Raylene will have regular rider David Wilson up in the Sonoma, the premier offering for 3-year-old fillies on the Alberta circuit.

A victory here Saturday could earn Raylene a shot at the $150,000 Canadian Derby here Aug. 23. Two other fillies, Native Brass and Lady Shari, have won the 1 3/8-mile Canadian Derby in the last four years.

Raylene obviously likes a distance of ground, having won at 1 1/16 miles in the Penny Ridge and at a mile in the recent Northlands Oaks.

Raylene's lone defeat this year was to A Shaky Start in the 6 1/2-furlong Chariot Chaser, and she faces that rival again Saturday.

A Shaky Start, trained by Albert Strumecki, will shoulder 118 pounds in the Sonoma, including jockey Leanne Painter. In her only start since the Chariot Chaser, she finished second in the Northlands Oaks after showing the way into the stretch.

Eradikate could be a threat to run with A Shaky Start on the front end. Eradikate was the pacesetter before ending third in both the Penny Ridge and the Chariot Chaser.

Eradikate, who will be ridden by Stephan Heiler, leaves outside A Shaky Start in post 5.