$50,000 Seattle Stakes goes to the post Sunday | Emerald Downs

Published 4:38 pm Thursday, May 5, 2016

For the Reporter

Emerald Downs’ 28-race stakes schedule begins Sunday with 3-year-old fillies vying 6½ furlongs in the $50,000 Seattle Stakes.

The seven-horse field includes several highly decorated runners: 2015 WTBOA Champion 2-Year-Old Filly My Heart Goes On; 2015 Emerald Downs’ Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Princess Kennedy; and unbeaten Invested Prospect, a speedster who wired the field in the 2015 Northwest Farms Stakes.

The role of betting favorite, however, could belong to Find Joy, a regally bred daughter of Drosselmeyer-Hurricane Hannah, purchased for $185,000 last year by David Taylor of Seattle.

Find Joy has trained forwardly for her Northwest debut, including a sparkling six furlong gate drill in 1:11 4/5 on April 28. Her five races feature a debut victory at Pimlico last summer followed by four tries against strong California competition, including a third in the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita.

“We were going to run her in a little stakes at Golden Gate but she didn’t like the synthetic (surface) much so we just kicked her out with hopes to bring her up here and compete really well in the stakes,” trainer Frank Lucarelli said. “She’s been getting over the Emerald Downs surface really well.

“She has really good speed but she can rate. We’ll probably just settle in behind the speed and we could end up with a really nice trip if three or four of these fillies decide to go for the lead.”

Invested Prospect drew the rail and makes her first start since the Northwest Farms Stakes vs. Washington-breds last September, when she opened a four-length lead after splits of :21.36, :44.23 and :56.77, and held by a neck over Cape Grace in 1:10.26 for six furlongs.

Trainer Blaine Wright opted to train Invested Prospect straight into the Seattle rather than run her in the April 9 allowance race won by Jerre to Carrie.

“She’s a nice filly, but it’s hard to come off the bench going 6½ furlongs,” Wright said.

The 3-year-old filly division culminates July 24 with the $75,000 Washington Oaks at 1 1/8 miles. As announced in February, any horse sweeping the Washington Oaks and September 10 BC Oaks at Hastings Racecourse earns a $25,000 (CDN) bonus.

The Seattle Stakes goes as Race 8 on a 10-race Mother’s Day card. Post time is 5:39 p.m.

The field for the $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs: Invested Prospect, Juan Gutierrez, 120 pounds; Princess Kennedy, Javier Matias, 120; Find Joy, Isaias Enriquez, 116; Aunt Maryann, Leslie Mawing, 116; My Heart Goes On, Ronald Richard, 118; B C Z Middleton, Jose Zunino, 116; Jerre to Carrie, Rocco Bowen 116.

Special 1 p.m. post time Derby Day

As usual, Emerald Downs will operate on a slightly different schedule on Kentucky Derby Day; First post is 1 p.m. for the nine-race card.

The simulcast of the 142nd Kentucky Derby (Race 12 at Churchill Downs) is 3:34 p.m., between races 5 and 6 at Emerald Downs. Gates open at 7 AM and the first of 14 races from Churchill Downs goes at 7:30.

The featured eighth race is a strong allowance/optional claimer at six furlongs, in which touted newcomer Indian Brut makes his local debut. Trained by Tim McCanna for owner/breeder Charles Fipke, the 5-year-old by Indian Charlie is 1-5-3 in 12 starts with earnings of $122,830, and has performed well on turf and dirt against strong competition in New York and Florida.

Solemnly Swear, third to O B Harbor and Kaabraaj opening weekend, is a highly regarded 5-year-old from the stable of Mike Puhich, who thought enough of the son of Yes It’s True to nominate him to last year’s Longacres Mile.

The field for Saturday’s $20,500 allowance/optional claiming feature for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs: Botch, Erick Lopez, 120 pounds; Arrom Bear, Leslie Mawing, 120; Trick Or Retreat, Ronald Richard, 120; Solemnly Swear, Isaias Enriquez, 120; Awesome Indian, Rocco Bowen, 120; Indian Brut, Joe Steiner, 120.

Mother’s Day concludes derby weekend

Aside from a live Thoroughbred action, mothers will have plenty to look forward to Sunday at Emerald Downs.

First and foremost, mothers can indulge in the track’s famous lunch buffet. Then between races, the track will host Mother’s Day prize drawings throughout the day. The North Park will also be open for family day activities including pony rides, face painting, a bounce house and more!

Mother’s Day also kicks off the 2016 stakes program at Emerald Downs. A talented six-pack of 3-year-old fillies will face off in the $50,000 Seattle Stakes at 6½ furlongs. The 10-race card begins with first post at 2 p.m.

Finish line

Trainer of the Week Blaine Wright is 8-1-1 in 13 starts at the meet and ranks No. 2 all-time in EmD winning percentage at 23.0 % (211-for-915). Wright has first-time starter Novel Missentered for owners John & Janene Maryanski in Saturday’s fourth race for $25,000 maiden claiming 3-year-old fillies. By Heatseeker, Novel Miss is the first foal out of multiple EmD stakes winner and $309,000 earner Gadget Queen. … Wright says the long-range plan for Alert Bay is another crack at the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) on Aug. 14. The 5-year-old California-bred gelding scored his ninth career stakes win last Saturday in the San Francisco Mile (G3), earning a 101 Beyer for his 1:36.39 on turf. … Mark Rheinford , Wright’s top assistant the last few years at Emerald Downs, is now working for trainer Steve Miyadi at Golden Gate Fields. … Trainer Sharon Ross says Stryker Phd continues to make good progress toward his 2016 debut and is scheduled to work again Monday. The 7-year-old gelding could return in the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap at one mile on June 19. … Turf Paradise finishes its marathon 2015-16 meeting Sunday with the 60th running of the $25,000 Hasta La Vista Handicap at 1¾ miles on turf. Blue Bomber and jockey Natasha Coddington are 2-1 morning line favorites while Pacific Nights, owned by Emerald Downs jockeys room manager Clell Sherwood, is 7-2.