Tanika looks tough in Wild Rose

Tanika is back with her own sex after beating some of the best older colts and geldings in Alberta in her seasonal debut at Northlands Park three weeks ago.

The 5-year-old Tanika figures to be a slight favorite over Littlemiss Allison in the $50,000 Wild Rose Handicap on Sunday.

The 6 1/2-furlong feature for fillies and mares drew five horses and goes as the seventh race.

The race couldn't set up any better for Tanika. Trained by Barry Brown, Tanika came from just off the pace to beat Test Boy and Inuit Fisher in a $40,000 optional claiming race on May 24. There should be a hotly contested pace in the Wild Rose and Tanika figures to get a perfect trip from a stalking position. The champion older filly or mare in the province last year, Tanika won five stakes and earned $207,112. In her career she has earned more than $400,000.

Littlemiss Allison, trained by Greg Tracy, got back on track with a front-running win in a $75,000 optional race at Hastings on May 23. It was her first win since the Houston Oaks in March 2008. She should be happy to be back at Northlands, where she has won 3 of 4 starts. In her last race in Edmonton, she won the one-mile Freedom of City by eight lengths. Littlemiss Allison has very good speed but she has won from a stalking position in the past.

Ubettorubet is coming off a sharp win in the $49,000 Sales Stakes on May 23.