She's Nifty should run down pace

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - She's Nifty looms the one to beat Friday in the first stakes event of the Marquis Downs meet, the $6,000 Matron Handicap for older fillies and mares.

A field of eight will contest the Matron, a six-furlong race, and there should be enough pace for She's Nifty to make her presence felt down the stretch.

A stakes winner here in 2003 and 2004, She's Nifty has run five times this year, including a third-place finish in her season debut versus $10,000 claimers in April at Stampede Park. After finishing eighth next time out, She's Nifty dropped in for a $5,000 tag and closed strongly to finish second by a neck.

She enters the Matron Handicap off a victory in the local allowance prep for this race on April 10, when she contested the lead every step of the way. Rennie Latchman rides.

Danzig Ballerina has run four times at Stampede Park this spring and could be one to catch in the Matron. A stakes winner here last year at 3, Danzig Ballerina set the pace last out before fading to third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in a claiming race here June 15. Leading rider Tim Moccasin picks up the mount.

Brite Steel also uses front-running tactics and was second to She's Nifty in the six-furlong prep two weeks ago, when she had a half-length lead but faded late to lose by a half-length.

Danzig Ballerina's presence should compromise Brite Steel's chances in the Matron.

Picture the Answer is a late-running mare who won three races and never missed the board in seven starts in 2004. Winner of the Mademoiselle here at a flat mile last year, Picture the Answer was third in the Matron prep.