Dan Markle has trained thoroughbreds for more than three decades, but said Sunday represents a first. In the $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes, Markle will saddle two horses—I Think So and Charismata—that were claimed in their most recent starts.

The Markle trainees represent one-quarter of an eight-horse field that goes 6 ½ furlongs in the second stakes of the meet for the older filly and mare division.

Coming off an easy 4 ¼-length victory in the six-furlong Hastings Handicap, Kikisoblu is the probable favorite for trainer Tom Wenzel, owner George Todaro and jockey Rocco Bowen.

City by the Bay, runner-up in the Hastings, will remain in California, but third-place finisher Lady of the Nile, fifth-place Madame Pele and seventh-place finisher Bee Dees Bid are back for round two, along with new shooters English Lace, Camille, Charismata and I Think So.

I Think So comes off a smoking 4 ¼ –length victory at six furlongs, from which Markle and owner Jeffrey Stoddard claimed her for a meet-high $40,000. Prior to that the 5-year-old Proud Citizen mare was based at Hastings Racecourse, piling up three stakes wins and over $150,000 in purses.

“She’s got a good race record and a lot of pedigree,” Markle said of I Think So. “Inevitably she’s going to be a good broodmare but she came out of the last race in such good fashion and ran such a bang-up race that we thought we’d take a shot and run her in this stakes. We’ll see how she performs in this event here on Sunday and go from there.”

Stoddard also claimed Charsimata, for $12,500, and Markle sees a big upside for the 4-year-old Curlin filly.

“Someday she’s going to make a really nice broodmare, too,” he said. “She seems to be full of health and the only place to run her is in this stakes here. It’s unusual to claim two mares and run them against each other but we’re going to take a shot at it.”

• The Washington State Legislators Stakes is Race 9 at 6:09 p.m.

• Average field size is 9.0 thru five stakes races. Average $2 win payoff is $31.90.

• The Washington State Legislators will be Robert Geller’s final stakes as Emerald Downs’ track announcer.

• Trainer Tom Wenzel, who saddles Bee Dees Bid and probable favorite Kikisoblu, aims for his third straight win in the Washington State Legislators. Exclusive Diva won in 2013 and Stopshoppingdebbie prevailed last year in a stakes record 1:14.20.

 

The field from the rail out for the 20th running of the Washington State Legislators Stakes: I Think So, Julien Couton, 120 lbs; Bee Dees Bid, Francisco Duran, 112; English Lace, Joe Steiner, 114; Kikisoblu, Rocco Bowen, 119; Lady of the Nile, Leslie Mawing, 116; Camille, Jake Barton, 117; Charismata, Diego R. Sanchez, 113; Madame Pele, Juan Gutierrez, 116.

CLAIMING GAME IN HIGH GEAR

The claim box continues to be among the busiest places at Emerald Downs. Another seven horses were claimed last week, increasing the season total to 60 claims for an aggregate $410,500. With the season barely 25 percent complete—18 days down, 52 to go—those totals represent a pace that would shatter last year’s meet total of 110 claims for $707,000.

I Think So, claimed for $40,000 on May 24, is the highest-priced claim in 2015, followed by Gross Misconduct at $22,500 and Luck Out and Charlie Thomas at $15,000 each.

 

 

FLEET EAGLE TO MISS BUDWEISER HANDICAP

Fleet Eagle, the California invader that romped by 6 ¾ lengths in the Governor’s Handicap, will skip the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on Sunday, June 14.

Jeff Metz, who assisted trainer Paula Capestro with Fleet Eagle at Emerald Downs, said the 6-year-old horse has returned to California, but could return for the Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, August 16. Metz said owner Francesca De La Flor might even explore standing the son of Don’t Get Mad in Washington after his racing career.

Dismissed at 39-to-1 in the Governor’s, Don’t Get Mad led virtually gate-to-wire and earned a meet-high 99 Beyer after running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.27.

Trainer Doris Harwood said jockey Diego R. Sanchez, who rode Fleet Eagle in the Governor’s, would replace Julien Couton aboard Noosito in the Budweiser Handicap. In the Governor’s, Noosito finished second but was disqualified and placed sixth for interference, costing the 4-year-old Harbor the Gold colt $10,000 in earnings. Noosito breezed five furlongs in 1:01 Thursday with Sanchez up.

Defending Longacres Mile champion Stryker Phd remains on course for his season debut in the Budweiser. The 6-year-old Bertrando gelding worked six furlongs Sunday in a bullet 1:12 3/5 for Larry Ross.

Nominations close Saturday for the Budweiser.

MATCH-UP OF THE WEEK: FIST FULL OF GREEN & DAYTONA BEACH

Saturday’s ninth and feature race showcases some of the track’s top older horses and top 3-year-olds on the grounds, who’ll face off in $40,000 allowance optional claimer. Here’s a look at a head-to-head between Fist Full of Green and Cahill Road Stakes winner Daytona Beach in the Media Match-Up of the Week!

Fist Full of Green wheels back in six days after an even race against the razor-sharp Calculated Chaos. The 6-year-old gelding should get an honest pace to enhance his stretch run, and Eliska Kubinova and Roy Lumm have clicked at over 20 percent with a positive ROI the last three years at Emerald Downs.

 

Daytona Beach

should enjoy the class relief after dueling in the Auburn Handicap with Prime Engine, setting ridiculous opening fractions in :21.40 and :44 flat for 6 1/2 furlongs. Taking the blinkers off and the outside post position should help Daytona Beach return to his tactical style we saw last year.

Also entered: Thundering Away, Grinder Sparksaglo, Spit and Shine, Botch and Valiant Flame.

THE PRESS BOX PODCAST IS BACK!

The 45-minute program will showcase every stakes race this season including Sunday’s $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes and an interview with trainer Dan Markle, who saddles multiple stakes winner I Think So in Sunday’s stakes.

Hosted by Jacob Pollowitz (Professor Pollowitz) and Vince Bruun (Mr. Media), The Press Box Podcast starts approx. 30 minutes before post time before each stakes and includes horsemen interviews, handicapping, Robert Geller’s live race call, the Winner’s Circle interview and a comprehensive look at the race’s history.

You can listen to the show live or recorded just by going to the track website at emeralddowns.com or at mixlr.com/emerald-downs.