Wasserman, who ran third in last year’s Longacres Mile, figures to be one of the top local threats in this year’s race, and was on the preliminary list of 29 nominees released on Sunday.

The 73rd running of the $300,000, Grade III Mile is Aug. 17 at Emerald Downs, with weights to be announced this Saturday. Field size is limited to 12 starters with high weights preferred. The 29 nominations is an increase of two over last year.

Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandela, who won the race 30 years ago with Bad’N Big, nominated California-based runners, Perfect Drift and One Union. The former is a 9-year-old, multiple Grade I winner who would be the richest horse ever to run in the state. Perfect Drift has earnings of more than $4.7 million.

One Union is owned by Seattle sportsman Herman Sarkowsky.

Tropic Storm, trained by Craig Dollase for West Point Thoroughbreds, would appear to have some of the best credentials on the list. The 4-year-old Florida-bred has run strong recent races at 7 ½ and 7 furlongs, finishing second in the Gr. 3 Ack Ack and third in the Grade I Triple Bend, both at Hollywood Park.

Wasserman, a 6-year-old gelding has had a dream season for owner-trainer Howard Belvoir. Wasserman won the FSN and Governor’s handicaps in dramatic fashion, and just missed a third stakes victory in the Mt. Rainier Handicap.

Trainers Jerry Hollendorfer and Mike Chambers nominated four horses apiece.

Fear No Evil wins Slew

Fear No Evil continued his rise in the local 3-year-old division with a gate-to-wire, one-length victory in Sunday’s $67,200 Seattle Slew Handicap at Emerald Downs.

With Gary Baze riding at 119 pounds, Fear No Evil ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 on a fast track and paid $10.20, $5.60 and $3.60. Frank Lucarelli is the trainer for owners Chris and Diane Randall of Bellevue. The time was fastest for the distance at the current meet.

For a complete list of Mile nominees, visit our Web site at www.auburn-reporter.com.