'Starlite' in top form for Sonoma

EDMONTON, Alberta - Starlite Strike seeks her second straight stakes victory here in Saturday's $100,000 Sonoma at Northlands Park. The 1 1/16-mile Sonoma attracted a field of six 3-year-old fillies.

Starlite Strike, owned by Canyon Farm and based at Hastings, is coming off a 1 1/2-length win in the July 22 Northlands Oaks. Trained by Robert Van Overschot, Starlite Strike drew post 1 and will be ridden by Richard Hamel.

Her opposition includes another Vancouver invader in the David Forster-trained Langara Lass, who finished fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Northlands Oaks and is still looking for her first triumph of the season. Langara Lass, who boasts thirds this year in the Supernatural at Hastings and the Irish Day at Emerald Downs, will be ridden by Jake Barton.

The home forces include a pair of stakes winners in Gabe's Prospect and Mia Cat Dancer.

Gabe's Prospect, who is trained by Kelly Grieves and will be ridden by Quincy Welch, won the Penny Ridge at Stampede Park and was second to Starlite Strike in the Northlands Oaks.

Trainer Ernie Keller sends out Mia Cat Dancer, who won the Lilac at Calgary along with an optional claimer. Mia Cat Dancer gets a new rider here in Perry Winters.

She's Italian has been having a banner year with three victories and a pair of seconds. She will have her regular rider Ron Blinston aboard.