A full cast of twelve runners will line up at six furlongs on Wednesday September 19th for the $20,000 Guaranteed Final of the City of Roses Filly and Mare Sprint Claiming Series.

These runners all competed in both the first two qualifying legs of the series, a $2,500 claimer at 5 furlongs back on August 15th and a $4,000 claimer on August 29th.  Many horses changed hands via the claim box, with all the connections pointing towards the Final.

It may just be Black N Silver who comes into this race in the sharpest form, coming off a huge nine and one quarter length win in the second division of Leg 2, trouncing her competition that night under jockey Rocco Bowen who will be back on board in the Final.  Sam Dronen claimed Black N Silver from the barn of trainer Jesse Velasquez for $4,000 last time out.

“She’s really good,” said Dronen.  “I look for her to do really well in this race. She’s just been doing so well in the barn and on the track.”

Dronen will also saddle Sweet Pleasure who after winning her division of Leg 1, came back and finished second behind Black N Silver.

“I was a little surprised nobody claimed her last time,” said Dronen.  “I never personally thought she could win the series, but I’m not 100% sure she couldn’t now, I think she’ll be right there.”

Giacomina was one of the more popular horses at the claim box in both the first and second legs, and will run in the Final for owner/trainer Jerry Lynn.  She was claimed out of her win in the Leg 1 for $2,500 by trainer Darlene Braden who won the horse in a seven way shake.  Giacomina then finished second behind Fantasyville in Leg 2 and was picked up by Lynn in a four way shake for $4,000.

“I tried to claim her for $2,500, and went back and put down the $4,000 and got lucky and got her,” said Lynn.   “She’s training good, about as good as can be possible.  I’m learning a bit about her as I’m going on since I’ve only had her for three weeks.”

Cascadian’s Storey and Due South will both be making their third consecutive start for new barns, as both runners were claimed in both the first and second legs.  Cascadian’s Storey romped in her Leg 1 win, but was a distant third behind Black N Silver in Leg 2.  Gilbert Daniels claimed Cascadian’s Storey in a ten way shake, making her the most highly sought after runner in Leg 2.  Due South was claimed for $4,000 by trainer Bubba Bullene for owner Susan Calvert out of Leg 2, a race that saw her finish third behind Fantasyville and Giacomina.

The City of Roses Filly and Mare Sprint Claiming Series Final will take place on Wednesday September 19th and is the fifth race on the card.  Post time for the fifth race on Wednesday is at 7:44pm (Pacific) and first post will go off at 6:00pm (Pacific).

Here is the field for the $20,000 City of Roses Filly and Mare Sprint Claiming Series Final

Post Position, Horse, Jockey

1.      Miss Marly B, Luis Gonzalez

2.     Sweet Pleasure, Marijo Terleski

3.     Go Ocho Go, Luis Torres

4.     Rich Debut, Mark Anderson

5.     Hi Flyin Storm, Javier Matias

6.     Due South, Troy Stillwell

7.     Cascadian’s Storey, Leonel Camacho-Flores

8.     RW Dusty’s Girl, Anne Sanguinetti

9.     Fantastyville, Deborah Hoonan

10.  Giacomina, April Boag

11.  Black N Silver, Rocco Bowen

12.  Known as Lu, Maria Rossak