She's Italian to get tested in Jenkins

CALGARY, Alberta - She's Italian, honored as the province's champion 3-year-old filly and top Alberta-bred for her sensational 2006 campaign, faces nine fillies and mares in the $50,000 M.R. Jenkins Memorial here at Stampede Park on Sunday.

She's Italian is the highweight at 121 pounds in the six-furlong feature and drew post 4 with her regular rider Jake Barton up.

The 4-year-old She's Italian passed her first test against older company with flying colors here April 13, winning despite a poor start and three-wide trip. Her tactical speed makes her the one to beat in this big field.

Contention runs deep in this edition of the Jenkins, with Certainly Regal attempting to duplicate her front-running win the in the Sales Stakes here April 14. Certainly Regal, 6, breaks just inside of She's Italian with Desmond Bryan aboard.

Certainly Regal is one of trainer Don Gilkyson's three runners entered and is coupled in the wagering with Banjo Babe, who drew post 8 and runs best from mid-pack.

Braetta, Alberta's champion older mare of 2006, drew post 9 and is the deep closer in Gilkyson's three-pronged attack.

Sassy Sarah, a 4-year-old from the barn of leading trainer Ron Grieves, has already won two races at this meet but is marooned in post 10. Real Simard rides.

Sassy Sarah is coupled in the wagering with Gabe's Prospect, who drew post 2 for her seasonal debut with leading rider Quincy Welch up.

Defending champion To Dream Again gets plenty of speed to run at in defense of her crown.