Tanika tries going a mile in Lilac

CALGARY, Alberta - Tanika, a game second to the invading Calendar Girl in the Mount Royal here at Stampede Park on May 6, heads a field of nine 3-year-old fillies in Sunday's Lilac.

Forwardly placed throughout the six-furlong Mount Royal, which Calendar Girl captured easily in stakes-record time of 1:10, Tanika will be asked by rider Stephan Heiler to stretch her speed out over a mile in the $50,000 Lilac.

Tanika never quit trying in the Mount Royal but was clearly overmatched by Calendar Girl, who arrived in town dead fit off a winter campaign.

Rod Haynes, who trains Tanika but will retire at the end of this meet, has earned the reputation of sending over fit runners who do well stretching out for the first time. Tanika drew post 7 and is expected to set the early fractions.

Iron Resolve was third in the Mount Royal, beaten 10 lengths by Tanika, but had excuses, as did several others that afternoon. Iron Resolve lost all chance when packed extremely wide on the first turn and moves from her outside draw last time to the rail with Jake Barton retaining the call.

Dawn of Fame passed on the Mount Royal and prepped in a sprint allowance on May 11 in which she rallied three wide to run third. Dawn of Fame is proven at the one-mile distance and breaks from post 2 under Shannon Beauregard.

Sender Smokin, shuffled back in the early stages of the Mount Royal, needs an alert break as she drew the outside post.