She's Italian up for next challenge

EDMONTON, Alberta - Despite her overwhelming performance last month in the Alberta Oaks, She's Italian failed to scare off the competition and faces eight challengers in Saturday's $50,000 Chariot Chaser for 3-year-old fillies at Northlands Park.

The Oaks was restricted to Alberta-breds and marked She's Italian's first stakes victory of the season, but she accomplished the task with such authority that there is little doubt she will be the favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong Chariot Chaser.

In the one-mile Oaks, jockey Jake Barton had She's Italian stalking the pace early, but they gained the lead by the half. Carrying a 2 1/2-length margin into the stretch, She's Italian drew off to win by 10 1/2 lengths under wraps.

Breaking out of the claiming ranks early this season, She's Italian has registered five victories for the Rocky Mountain Turf Club Stable and trainer Doug MacDonald. She's Italian has finished out of the money only once in 12 lifetime starts.

Shipping east to compete in the Chariot Chaser are three Vancouver-based challengers, led by No Ka Oi. Among the top 3-year-old fillies at Hastings and Emerald Downs, No Ka Oi has competed in five stakes this year with her best finish a third in the Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings. No Ka Oi has one win this season, a 4 3/4-length trouncing of allowance types in August at Emerald Downs.