She's Italian simply looks too good

EDMONTON, Alberta - Eight fillies and mares will challenge the hegemony of She's Italian in the $75,000 Wild Rose here at Northlands Park on Saturday.

Since coming into her own late in her 3-year-old campaign last year, She's Italian has won six straight starts. She's Italian wrapped up 2006 with two consecutive stakes victories and comes into the Wild Rose off wins in Stampede Park's Jenkins Memorial and Duchess of York. She has earned more than $250,000.

A 4-year-old homebred who is equally comfortable going long or short, She's Italian has already defeated six of her opponents in Saturday's 6 1/2-furlong race. At morning-line odds of 4-5, She's Italian should extend her win streak under rider Jake Barton.

As dominant as She's Italian look, disciples of Beyer Speed Figures may be inclined to back Petty Beaucat. A 4-year-old trained by Rick Hedge, Petty Beaucat sports the best last-race Beyer in the field, a 77 earned in a wire-to-wire win over optional claimers.

Petty Beaucat has shown that she belongs with the best by virtue of her three stakes-placings in 2006, one of which was a second in the Jenkins Memorial to She's Italian.

An invader who also may also get some attention from bettors is Montero. Montero has shipped to Northlands from Hastings twice and has earned just a third-place check for the efforts. Still, Montero has 1 win in 3 starts this year and recently finished a close third to the talented Starlight Strike.