Star in Canada lights upon Texas

Littlemiss Allison compiled a

4-for-4 record last year while racing in the Canadian province of Alberta. She won her debut at Stampede Park in Calgary, then reeled off three straight stakes wins by a combined 16 1/2 lengths at Northlands Park in Edmonton.

For her first start of the year, Littlemiss Allison comes south to meet a competitive group of 3-year-old fillies in the $50,000 Sam Houston Oaks. Among her 10 rivals are the stakes winners Slick Kitty, Timely Reflection, and Classie Baloo, and the up-and-coming Twisted Tale.

The Sam Houston Oaks will be Littlemiss Allison's first start since an eight-length win in the $50,000 Freedom of City at Northlands on Sept. 2.

Greg Tracy trains Littlemiss Allison, who has been working at Delta Downs for her owner and breeder, Stanley Ryan. Paul Nolan has the mount.

Twisted Tale could go off as the favorite. A maiden winner at Saratoga last July, she comes into the Sam Houston Oaks off a sharp first-level allowance win at Fair Grounds Feb. 3. She was prominent throughout in that six-furlong race, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over restricted stakes winner Royal Diana. Twisted Tale earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 83, which is the highest last-race number in the Sam Houston Oaks.

"I think this hopefully is a bridge between where she is and where she is going," said Steve Asmussen, who trains Twisted Tale for Ron Winchell and Thomas VanMeter II.

"I think, as her form indicates, she's pretty talented."

Twisted Tale is a daughter of Tale of the Cat. Her dam is Call Now, a Grade 2 winner and half-sister to Grade 1 winner Olympio. Twisted Tale will be ridden by Quincy Hamilton.