Vegas Folly must face her elders

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - In her last start, Vegas Folly easily won a race for 3-year-old fillies that hadn't won a stakes of $20,000 in 2003. She gets to run back at the same condition Saturday, only this time she will face older fillies and mares, including multiple stakes winner Catahoula Rose. The 1 1/16-mile feature drew nine horses and goes as the fifth race.

Vegas Folly, who races for K. K. Sangara and is trained by Harold Barroby, still looks like the one to beat. She doesn't pick up any weight, carrying 112 pounds, and has enough tactical speed to stalk what should be a moderate pace. A B.C.-bred filly, Vegas Folly just missed to older fillies and mares in a $35,000 optional sprint Oct. 13, and in three starts at 1 1/16 miles she has won twice and finished second by a neck. Nicky Wright rides Vegas Folly.

Catahoula Rose is clearly the class of the field and easily has earned the most money, with close to $250,000. She has faced mostly stakes company this year without success, but in two starts versus optional company she picked up a first and a second.

Catahoula Rose finished seventh in the Grade 3 Ballerina Breeders' Cup Oct. 11. She has worked smartly since and should appreciate the lesser company Saturday. A 5-year-old mare, Catahoula Rose has been trained throughout her career by Jim Brown. She will be ridden by David Wilson.

Vying Princess was an easy winner over $35,000 optional horses Oct. 25, but she had things her own way and isn't likely to get away with such slow fractions Saturday with Whiskey Til Dawn in the field.