Emerald Downs’ stakes action begins Sunday with 10 older fillies and mares battling six furlongs in the $50,000 Hastings Handicap.

The first of 29 stakes in 2015, the Hastings appears to be wide open, with 4-year-old City by the Bay carrying top weight of 120 lbs and 5-year-olds Madame Pele and Tabled With Gold carrying 118 lbs each. With all due respect to Stopshoppingdebbie—one of the greatest horses in track history—her retirement makes for a more competitive older filly or mare division this year at Emerald Downs.

While sweeping the four-race series in 2014, Stopshoppingdebbie recorded $2 win payoffs of $2.40, $2.40, $2.60 and $3.40. The average field size was 5.75 horses.

Runner-up to Stopshoppingdebbie last year in the Hastings, Madame Pele drew the No. 10 post and could go favored in the wagering. By Salt Lake-Striking Scholar, Madame Pele is 2-3-1 in eight starts at Emerald Downs with victories in the Washington Cup each of the last two years.

“She’s coming off the bench cold, but she’s training really well,” assistant trainer Kay Cooper said.

“Thank goodness the race is coming up because everyone in the barn wants to run her. This year, hopefully, is going to be Madame Pele’s big year.”

Owned by Zach and Beth Correa of Kama’aina Thoroughbreds, Madame Pele has an overall record of 5-4-3 in 23 starts, with earnings of $151,022. A capable router or sprinter, Madame Pele performs well at six furlongs, compiling a 2-3-0 record in six starts at the distance.

“(Jockey) Juan Gutierrez sits on her well,” Cooper said. “Her versatility is very useful, it makes her all the more worthy. She’s very controllable. She always positions the rider where the best spot is. If she’s in front, she’ll go right on. If they’re in front of her at the top of the lane, she’ll run them down. She tries hard every time and that’s all you can ask for from a racehorse.”

CITY BY THE BAY INVADES NORTHWEST

City by the Bay is back for her encore at Emerald Downs.

A speedy daughter of City Zip, City by the Bay shipped in last year to win the $50,000 Seattle Handicap for 3-year-old fillies, running down Chu and You for a three-quarter-length victory in 1:14.76 for 6 ½ furlongs. The now 4-year-old Kentucky-bred will be the starting high weight Sunday while carrying 120 lbs in the 10-horse Hastings field.

Trained by Billy Morey and owned by Martin Bach of Danville, Calif. and Jack Owens of Modesto, Calif., City by the Bay is 4-0-2 in seven starts lifetime with earnings of $139,335. Following her win in last year’s Seattle, City by the Bay rolled to a 5 ½-length win in the $60,000 Harvest Handicap at Fresno, and finished third in two allowance sprints at Golden Gate.

“She’s very talented, but she needs time between races,” Morey said. “Like last year, this race fits her schedule nicely.”

City by the Bay arrived at 9 a.m. Thursday and is stabled with Jeff Metz, although Morey and his wife will fly up for the race Sunday. Julien Couton takes over the mount from Juan Hernandez, who has ridden City by the Bay in all seven of her starts.

According to Morey, the rider change is due to the late decision to ship to Emerald Downs, with Hernandez already committed to riding Sunday at Golden Gate. Couton, who used to ride regularly in Northern California, is leading the Emerald Downs standings with 10 wins in the first seven days. He also has a long history with Morey, scoring his first career stakes victory aboard Positive Response for Morey in the 2010 Gold Rush Stakes.

The Hastings Handicap is Race 8 at 5:39 p.m.

14 of the last 15 winners had the lead at the stretch call (eighth pole), including Stopshoppingdebbie last year.

The field from the rail out for the 20th running of the Hastings Handicap: Bee Dees Bid , Francisco Duran, 114 lbs;Lady of the Nile , Leslie Mawing, 115; Kikisoblu , Rocco Bowen, 116; Society Girl , Jorge Rosales, 114; Tabled With Gold , Gallyn Mitchell, 118; Mylast Sweet Pea , Alexis Batista, 116; City by the Bay, Julien Couton, 120; Guinevere’s Finale , Javier Matias, 117; Tinkerbelle Tops , Joe Steiner, 113; Madame Pele , Juan Gutierrez, 118.

MATCH-UP OF THE WEEK: KOALA BEACH & DANCING YODELER

Saturday’s seventh race looks to be the day’s best betting race, featuring a talented 8-pack of $5,000 claimers, led by Koala Beach and Dancing Yodeler. Here’s a look at a head-to-head with the Media Match-Up of the Week!

Koala Beach shortens to one turn after nearly leading gate-to-wire in a useful return effort. The 8-year-old gelding likes to win races, and jockey Julien Couton has been an instant hit with 10 wins in the first seven racing days.

Dancing Yodeler has been a dazzler since arriving at Emerald Downs last season. The former Emerald Racing Club star’s patented late finish led to a 2-1-1 record in six starts at the 2014 meeting. The work tab looks sharp including a 6-furlong drill on April 26 in 1:12.20 (2/4). There is loads of speed to rally into here, and with favorite jockey Leslie Mawing aboard, it will be all systems go!

Also entered: Simply Sharp, Ontheshadyside, Heza Witch Doctor, Whiskeyonthehouse, He’s a Cruiser and Marvin’s Magic.

THE PRESS BOX PODCAST IS BACK!

The 45-minute program will showcase every stakes race this season starting with the $50,000 Hastings Handicap and an interview with assistant trainer Kay Cooper, who saddles top contender Madame Pele 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 atemeralddowns.com or at mixlr.com/emerald-downs.

EmD WORKOUT CENTRAL: NOOSITO & TRICK OR RETREAT

Last year’s Top 3-Year-Old Noosito(outside) and recent allowance winner Trick or Retreat(inside) sparkled Thursdaymorning, breezing together in a bullet 1:00.20 (1/11) at five furlongs.

Both trained by Doris Harwood, Noosito and Trick or Retreat are expected to make their next start in the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap on Sunday, May 17.

FAST TIMES & FIGURES: WEEK 3

2015 Fastest Times

5 Furlongs :56.85 Ain’t Tellin’, April 25

5-½ Furlongs 1:02.39 O B Harbor, April 18

6 Furlongs 1:09.18 Trick Or Retreat, April 19

6-½ Furlongs 1:17.72 Miners Night, May 1

1 Mile 1:37.78 It’s Our Pleasure, April 19

Friday, May 1

Race 1: Hillside Select-53 Beyer

Race 2: Miners Night-68

Race 3: Eddie Sue-43

Race 4: Lots of Prayers-58

Race 5: Sharp Focus-78

Race 6: Lizzy Lass-68

Race 7: Italian Warrior-66

Saturday, May 2

Race 1: Lucky Echo-63

Race 2: Twigs N Stones-47

Race 3: Betsy’s Gold-61

Race 4 : Whiskey Prince-60

Race 5: Legion of Boom-51

Race 6: Our Boy Ken-56

Race 7: Fire the Trainer-64

Race 8: Mister Breeze-60

Race 9: Nearlycocktailtime-55

Sunday, May 3

Race 1: Relatively Fast-55

Race 2: Three Point Luke-55

Race 3: Laff Itup Fuzzball-46

Race 4: Pakokohe-75

Race 5: Niftys Tee Time-60

Race 6: Epic Electorate-71

Race 7: Dynamo Dixie-68

Race 8: Calculated Chaos-83

Race 9: Bwana Be Gone-61

2-MINUTE CLIP: ROCCO BOWEN

Jockey Rocco Bowen tells all!

FINISH LINES: Weekly Honors #3-Trainer- Brian Lusk ; Jockey- Jimmy Guzman ; Owner- Shady Valley Ranch & John Keegan ; Groom- Rafael Melendes ( Roy Lumm ); WTBOA Washington-bred- Mister Breeze ( Alan Bozell ); Exercise Rider- Jesse Saldivar ( Blaine Wright ). . .In becoming the meet’s first two-time winner, 5-year-old geldingCalculated Chaos earned a career-high 83 Beyer after running 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.11. .Maiden-winner Pakokoheearned a 75 for Sunday’s 3 ¾-length won for owner/trainer Don Munger . A 4-year-old Nacheezmo colt, Pakokohe ran six furlongs in 1:10.21. . . Dancing Yodeler makes his first start for new owner Left Coast Thoroughbreds in Saturday’s seventh race for older $5,000 claimers at 6 ½ furlongs. The now 7-year-old gelding won twice last year campaigning forEmerald Racing Club . . .Speaking of Emerald Racing Club, the 183-member ownership group has acquired a second runner for 2015, Tribal Waters , a 4-year-old gelding that scored a one-length win at Golden Gate last week in a $6,250 claimer for non-winners of two races lifetime. . . Trackattacker (5-4-0-0-$86,343) makes his 2015 debut Sunday in a $20,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds that passed through the WTBOA Sales Ring. Trained by Frank Lucarelli forR.E.V. Racing , Trackattacker has worked 10 times in preparation for his debut, capped by Monday’s bullet six panels in 1:12.20. At 5 ½ furlongs, Sunday’s race is a prep for the May 24 Auburn Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs. . .2014 Emerald Derby winner Mebossman , now trained by Mike Puhich, breezed five furlongs in a bullet :58.60 Monday. . .2014 Gottstein Futurity winner Prime Engine also worked Monday for Puhich, breezing five furlongs in :59.40. . .Nominations close Saturday for the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap on Sunday, May 17. At 6 ½ furlongs, the Governor’s is first stop on the road to the 80th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, August 16. . .With 10 horses entered this weekend including two in the Hastings Handicap, trainer Robbie Baze figures to have a busy weekend at Emerald Downs. . . Howard Belvoir has nine horses entered, and also celebrates a birthday next Wednesday.