Speedsters could set up Mamselle Aries

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Four last-out winners, three of whom won wire-to-wire, and a fifth runner who set the pace for a half-mile before fading, make Monday's feature race at the Alameda County Fair an interesting affair.

Trainer Art Sherman has entered two runners. He may have the speed of the speed in Good Time'n Dixie and the best closer in the $50,000 optional claimer for fillies and mares at six furlongs in Mamselle Aries.

Both of Sherman's fillies come off victories.

Good Time'n Dixie, has won 3 of 4 starts, including an allowance here last year. She just beat similar in wire-to-wire style on May 20 at Golden Gate Fields and will run for a $50,000 tag here.

Mamselle Aries showed a bit more speed in her last start, a first-level allowance victory at Golden Gate on May 28. She sat third behind fast fractions, and then pulled clear late. Although Mamselle Aries is primarily a stalker, she's likely to be at the back of the pack here.

A Lil' Alimony was reclaimed by trainer Lloyd Mason as she went wire to wire to beat a $25,000 claiming field on May 31.

Denaesalildevil just went wire to wire in a $25,000 optional claimer for trainer Dennis Ward at Stockton on June 15.

Calamity Girl, third in the April 21 Monterey Handicap on the turf, set the pace in a six-furlong turf race at Hollywood Park on May 24 in her last start.

Based on fractional numbers, Good Time'n Dixie may not get the lead here after drawing the rail. But she has been in front at every call in all four of her races, losing only her comeback when she tired inside the sixteenth pole.

Steve Sherman, who handles his father's Northern California string, concedes Good Time'n Dixie will have no choice but try to gun from the rail.

"I always like to have the outside speed advantage," he said. "Being outside helps horses relax."

Sherman said Good Time'n Dixie is "doing good, but this is a tough race. This is her level. This is where she belongs, but this will be tough because there's a lot of speed."

The speed could set things up for Mamselle Aries.

"She's the only one that seems able to come off the pace," Sherman said.

Sherman said the way the race sets up will make his job easy when he gives instructions to Juan Ochoa, who will ride Good Time'n Dixie, and Russell Baze, who will ride Mamselle Aries.

"Neither one can hurt the other. They just ride the way the horse wants to run," Sherman said. "You don't have to tell one to take hold or let the other go first."