Mona Rose seeks her second consecutive victory in the $323,100 Dance Smartly Handicap (Can-III) at 1 1/8 miles over Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Turf Course on Saturday.The 5-year-old Ontario-bred bay daughter of Gold Legend, who scored by a length in last year's Dance Smartly, gets her second start of 2005. It is her seventh straight date in an added-money feature.A lifetime winner of five races and $435,983 in earnings from 15 starts, Mona Rose comes into the Dance Smartly off a sharp seasonal bow. She finished third, just one-length back of Que Puntual in the Nassau Stakes (Can-II) on June 4.Checked heading into the final turn, Mona Rose rallied stoutly in picking up her ninth consecutive check, a performance that pleased conditioner Earl Barnett."I'm very happy with that race," said Barnett. "She gave her all in that race. We knew it would be tough coming off a long layoff. She finished well."Mona Rose sports a 5-2-1 mark in 13 Toronto oval turf starts."Obviously, we'd like to see a quick pace up front and relax," Barnett said. "I have no negatives to say about her. She's ready."If he had his druthers, Barnett would love to see some rain in the forecast.
"I'd like to turf a little softer than this. If we got some rain, it would make me smile a bit."$323,100 Dance Smartly Handicap (Can-III), fillies & mares 3 & up, 1 1/8 miles (turf)
PP / Horse / Trainer / Jockey
1 Ambitious Cat - Eric Coatrieux - Robert Landry
2 Mity Dancer - Edward Freeman - Corey Fraser
3 Pandora's Secret - Chantal Paquette - Dino Luciani
4 Juliet's Kiss - Layne Giliforte - Emma Wilson
5 Classic Stamp - Darwin Banach - Patrick Husbands
6 Mona Rose - Earl Barnett - Todd Kabel
7 Noble Stella - Roger Attfield - Emile Ramsammy
