Stakes action kicks into high gear next weekend with three stakes events at Emerald Downs, including the final local tune-up for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, August 24.
Stryker Phd, extremely impressive while winning the Budweiser Handicap last month, and Commander a Canadian-based gelding with 11 career stakes wins, top a list of 15 older horses nominated to the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Sunday, July 20.
Find Your Spot, who extended her win streak to four with a victory in the Irish Day Handicap last month, and Ole’s Miss, a double stakes winner this year at Hastings Racecourse, head a field of 12 sophomore fillies nominated to the $50,000 Kent Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on Saturday, July 19. The Kent Handicap is the last stop for 3-year-old fillies en route to the $65,000 Washington Oaks on Saturday, August 9.
A third stakes is the $50,000 Emerald Express for 2-year-old colts & geldings. The six-furlong Emerald Express is half of a stakes doubleheader with the Mt. Rainier Handicap.
$50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap, Sunday, July 20
3-Years-Old & Up, 1 & 1-16 Mile
Horse . . . . . Owner . . . . . Trainer
Commander (6-KY) N American Tbred Racing Mike Puhich
Devil in Disguise (5-KY) N American Tbred racing Mike Puhich
Disruption (4-FLA) Nelson Family Racing Monique Snowden
Dontmesswithkitten (4-KY) H. Leong & D. Lew Chris Stenslie
Hard Slider (6-KY) Baze, Loften & Garcia Robbie Baze
Iscar (6-KY) Swift Thoroughbreds Dino Condilenios
Jebrica (6-WA) R & R Warren LLC Jim Penney
Modern (4-KY) Swift Thoroughbreds Dino Condilenios
Mr. Bowling (5-KY) Mark Dedomenico & N American Tbred Racing Mike Puhich
Scat Daddybaby (4-KY) Mike & Amy Feuerborn Robbie Baze
Shooting Jacket (4-KY) Swift Thoroughbreds Inc. Dino Condilenios
Somewhere With You (4-WA) Coal Creek Farm David Martinez
Stryker Phd (5-WA) Jim & Mona Hour Larry Ross
Why Not Be Perfect (7-KY) J.C. Racing Stable Jeff Metz
Worldventurer (4-TEX) Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd Blaine Wright
$50,000 Kent Handicap, Saturday, July 19
3-Year-Old Fillies, 1 & 1-16 Mile
Horse . . . . . Owner . . . . . Trainer
Belladiva (3-WA) Jeff Cissell Junior Coffey
Charismata (3-KY) Ivor & Jack Jones Doris Harwood
Chu and You (3-WA) Michael & Amy Feuerborn Robbie Baze
Far Niente (3-KY) Copper Water Thoroughbred Co. Craig MacPherson
Find Your Spot (3-WA) Where We At Jim Penney
Habida (3-BC) Dr. & Mrs. Brian Anderson & Eccott Blaine Wright
Mylast Sweet Pea (3-WA) Bill & Betty Stiles & Valerie M. Johnson Robbie Baze
Ole’s Miss (3-ONT) Canmor Farms L. Tracy McCarthy
Papa’s Flashy Girl (3-CA) Patrick McGhee or Saratoga West Jeff Metz
Strawberry Dawn (3-WA) Sue & Tim Spooner Dan Markle
Sunpenny (3-WA) Z Thoroughbred Racing Partners III Frank Lucarelli
Wedding Kake (3-KY) One Horse Will Do, Brewer & Caden Chris Stenslie
