Stopshoppingdebbie, Goin to the Window and Blueberry Smoothie are retired, but the plot remains the same. Trainer Tom Wenzel continues to dominate the older filly and mare division at Emerald Downs.

Sunday, Kikisoblu and Lady Rosberg—both conditioned by Wenzel—figure to monopolize wagering in the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares at one mile. The Boeing is the final steppingstone to next month’s $65,000 Emerald Distaff, the track’s championship event for distaffers at 1 1/8 miles.

George Todaro’s Kikisoblu has commandeered the division to date, rolling by 4 ¼ lengths in the Hastings Handicap at six furlongs and by 6 ¼ lengths in the Washington State Legislators Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs. Two explosive wins, ones that left jockey Rocco Bowen looking in vain for challengers through the lane.

The 4-year-old Kodiak Kowboy filly appears to face two obstacles Sunday—the one-mile distance and, perhaps even more formidable, her accomplished stable mate.

Lady Rosberg has proven plenty since last racing here two years ago. Karl Krieg’s 6-year-old mare comes off two straight stakes wins at Turf Paradise, scoring by a length in the one-mile Sun City Handicap on turf, and by 2 ¼ lengths in the 6 ½-furlong Mesa Handicap on dirt. Her overall mark is 6-2-2 in 13 starts with earnings of $106,722.

Kikisoblu earned Beyers of 82 and 70 in her wins, Lady Rosberg got an 80 and 78 in her Phoenix victories.

“With Jerre Paxton’s horses retiring last year, it was a wide open division to see who could jump up and do it and (Kikisoblu) was the one to do it,” Wenzel said.

“It’s definitely a question mark for her going two turns. We’ll find out this weekend. Just talent alone, I know she’s going to give me what she’s got. I’ve got confidence in her but it’s always guarded when you go two turns.

“This is the first time I’ve had (Lady Rosberg) to run in quite a few years,” Wenzel added. “Val Lund had her in Phoenix and it’s right there in The Form. She’s been able to route, sprint, dirt, turf, and do all of them reasonably well. She’s worked decent coming into this race. Gallyn Mitchell knows her very well. I’m expecting her to run decent off the bench.”

Sarahline or Finding More have the best chances to spring an upset. A $210,000 Northern Afleet filly, Sarahline has been stuck at the first allowance level in Northern California but she has respectable figures for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and tries dirt for the first time. Finding More has recaptured the form that made her state champion 2-year-old filly in 2012, reeling off two sharp sprint wins, but she steps up in class and tired in two previous route tries.

Lady of the Nile is honest if not brilliant, running third in the Hastings and second in the Washington State Legislators, and has routed well in the past. Our Little Hen has come a long ways since competing for a $2,500 tag here two years ago. She’s racked up nine wins and $114,040 in earnings, mostly via a series of gate-to-wire route victories on the synthetic Tapeta surface at Golden Gate.

The Boeing Handicap is Race 9 at 6:09 p.m.

Madame Pele and Among the Stars, both nominated to the Boeing, run in Sunday’s $24,000 sub-feature for older fillies and mares at six furlongs. Dawselina, winner of two stakes and third in last year’s BC Oaks, also runs in the allowance race.

Ropersandwranglers, the only horse to win the Boeing Handicap twice (1997-98), is a 2015 Finalist for the Washington racing Hall of Fame.

Average field size thru nine stakes is 9.0 horses. Average $2 win payoff is $20.20. ($2 win prices: $19, $81.40, $19, $8.20, $3.60, $3.40, $18.40, $8.40).

The field for the 20th running of the Boeing Handicap: Alli Leigh, Joe Steiner, 114 lbs; Sarahline, Julien Couton, 115; Lady of the Nile, Leslie Mawing, 117; Kikisoblu, Rocco Bowen, 121; Our Little Hen, Leonel Camacho-Flores, 118; Lady Rosberg, Gallyn Mitchell, 120; English Lace, Jake Barton, 113; Finding More, Eliska Kubinova, 116.

HERBIE D RETURNS IN LOADED

SATURDAY FEATURE

Returning to the scene of his greatest triumph, Herbie D heads a field of seven older runners in Saturday’s$25,000 allowance race at six furlongs.

Gate-to-wire winner of the 2013 Longacres Mile, Herbie D was sidelined nearly two years before returning to action with two off-the-board finishes this spring at Hastings Racecourse.

A 7-year-old British Columbia-bred gelding by Orchid’s Devil, Herbie D is 10-1-1 in 15 career starts with earnings of $339,581. He’s 2-for-2 at Emerald Downs, recording Beyers of 101 and 100 while notching wins in the 2013 Mile and Mt. Rainier Handicap.

Trainer Robert Gilker said Herbie D was sidelined first by an ankle chip and later by a torn suspensory ligament.

“The plan is always the same; get back to The Mile,” Gilker said. “We’ll take one race at a time. He didn’t run very good races up here, but it wasn’t necessarily his fault. We got into some pretty crazy speed duels.

“It looks like this race is pretty good,” Gilker added. “I saw one other pretty fast horse in the race. We might stalk the pace, but I’m not sure yet what we’ll do.”

Regular rider Amadeo Perez will accompany Herbie D to Emerald Downs.

I Keep Saying also returns in Saturday’s feature. The 6-year-old gelding set the 6 ½-furlong world record of 1:12.94 last year, and is 7-for-22 with earnings of $110,318. His trainer, Jim Penney, is scheduled to be released Saturday from Canterbury House in Auburn, where he’s been recovering from shoulder and pelvis injuries sustained last month. A Yankee Doodle Dandy, Penney celebrates his 81st birthday Saturday.

Rounding out a very tough field are Until You, Del Rio Harbor, Disruption, Mebossman and Solemnly Swear.

Trainer Jim Penney cooking up a storm at the Canterbury House.

FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR FRIDAY;

FREE JULY 4TH ADMISION SATURDAY

Emerald Downs will be draped in red, white and blue this Friday and Saturday for it’s annual July 3rd Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Carl’s Jr., followed by the track’s first-ever free admission on July 4.

The Fireworks Spectacular has historically been Emerald Downs’ most-attended event, which features a world class fireworks show, a KMPS concert with country singer Seth Alley and a 9-race card of live Thoroughbred racing. With a special first post-time at 4:30 p.m., fans are encouraged to come early as spots will be at a premium once racing begins.

On Saturday, Emerald Downs offers free admission to celebrate the nation’s birthday, and between races four and five a field of 11 jockeys will race one furlong in the 1st Annual Emerald Downs Jockey Dash. The purse is $500 plus an additional $500 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.

Emerald Downs morning-line maker Rob Rao says he plans to make Diego Sanchez, reputed to be a speedster, the 2-1 choice followed by Leslie Mawing at 5/2. Other jockeys competing are Javier Matias, Gallyn Mitchell, Jose Zunino, Osvaldo Gonzalez, Jake Barton, Francisco Duran, Joe Steiner, Juan Gutierrez and Julien Couton.

Barbados native Rocco Bowen, originally in the lineup, scratched in favor of being the race’s official starter.

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 9: Wiener Dog Rally @ KOMO Plaza

July 9: Equine Art Show Preview Party

July 10: Equine Art Show & Brewer’s Night

July 12: STAR 101.5 Wiener Dog Races

July 19: Fiesta Premio Esmeralda

MATCH-UP OF THE WEEK: CHRISTMAS CABALLO & RED RIDGE

Saturday’s eighth and sub-feature spotlights seven talented 3-year-olds, including four that are coming off impressive victories. The one-mile event is headed by Christmas Caballo and Red Ridge who face off in the Media Match-Up of the Week!

Christmas Caballo could be a demon in the 3-year-old division if he takes to two-turn racing like his daddy Papa Clem, who captured two Grade 2s going 1-1/16 miles and 1-1/8 miles, respectively. He comes out of several key races where he’s finished behind three stakes winners and two others that have a bright stakes future. Look for this gelding to use his tactical speed to take him right into the winner’s circle.

Red Ridge (pictured left) showed a new dimension while drilling a softer bunch two weeks ago. The Malt Magic colt is the only horse in the field with a two-turn victory vs. winners, and Javier Matias and Howard Belvoir are among the track’s most productive jockey/trainer combinations. This isn’t an easy spot, but the versatile colt should find a way to beat this group.

Also entered: Raspberry Road, Peace Arch, The Search Is Over, Bolshoi’s Bluff and It’s Allabout Jerry.

THE PRESS BOX PODCAST IS BACK!

The 45-minute program will showcase every stakes race this season includingSunday’s $50,000 Boeing Handicap and an interview with trainer Tom Wenzel, who saddles multiple stakes winners Kikisoblu and Lady Rosberg.

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, Matt Dinerman’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 atmixlr.com/emerald-downs.

EmD WORKOUT CENTRAL: STAKES RUNNERS TAKE STAGE

This week’s “Training Day” features some of the top fillies and mares on the grounds including 3-year-old Belle Hill, winner of last week’s Irish Day Handicap and Diane Garrison trainees Alli Leigh and English Lace, who are set to race in Sunday’s Boeing Handicap.

FAST TIMES & FIGURES: WEEK 11

Friday, June 26

Race 1: Majestic Cat-58*

Race 2: Hugs and Kisses-59*

Race 3: Top Kitty Cat-48*

Race 4: River District-58*

Race 5: St Nicholas Becky-73

Race 6: Perfect Night-74

Race 7: Surprise Sale-68

Saturday, June 27

Race 1: Jess Imagine Me (QH)

Race 2: Lean Cozzene-50

Race 3: Kiss My Lulu-64#

Race 4 :Samendra-62

Race 5: Fine Red Wine-52*

Race 6: Chrissy’s Wedding-45

Race 7: Classy and Sassy-55

Race 8: Perhaps a Pie-63*

Race 9: Remembertobreathe-79

Race 10: Southfork Pegasus-64

Sunday, June 28

Race 1: End to End-40

Race 2: Copy Begone-43*

Race 3: Dudley Studley-65*

Race 4: Lil’ Orphan Andy-33*

Race 5: Cruzin the Harbor-63

Race 6: Eddie’s Camaro-53

Race 7: Ain’t Tellin’-75*

Race 8: War Wizard-73

Race 9: Belle Hill-78*

Race 10: Faye Belle-48*

*career high

**ties career-high

#first-time starter

2015 Fastest Times

4 1/2 Furlongs :51.25 Kiss My Lulu, June 27

5 Furlongs :56.70 Power Fleet, May 16

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

6 Furlongs 1:08.69 Kikisoblu, May 10

6-½ Furlongs 1:14.27 Fleet Eagle, May 17

1 Mile 1:35.57 Stryker Phd, June 14

1 1/16 Mile 1:44.01 Rio Hondo, June 13

2-MINUTE CLIP: TRAINER MARTIN PIMENTEL

Trainer Martin Pimentel has five horses entered over the weekend including two in Saturday’s sixth race and is this week’s 2 Minute Clip!

FINISH LINES: Weekly Honors #11-Jockey- Gallyn Mitchell ; Trainer- Howard Belvoir ; Owner- Aithon Stables ; Groom- Oscar Rodriguez (Joe Toye) ; WTBOA Washington-bred- Hugs and Kisses (Dean Essex DVM) ; Exercise Rider- Alfonso Velador (Tim McCanna) . . .Congratulations to El Dorado Farms of Enumclaw as freshman sire Coast Guard scored his first win and it literally was a lulu—2-year-old filly Kiss My Lulu scored by six lengths in Saturday’s second race at Emerald Downs, running 4 ½ furlongs in :51.25 and earning a strong 64 Beyer. . . Kiss My Lulu was the second straight maiden special weight win for Belvoir, who won June 20 with 2-year-old colt Barkley . . .Another promising prodigy of Coast Guard debutsSunday in the $50,000 Everett Nevin on closing day at Pleasanton. Marqula (Coast Guard- Marquet Formula) will be ridden by Russell Baze for trainer Jeff Bonde in the 5-½ furlong Nevin. . .Based on his victoryWednesday at Hastings Racecourse, 6-year-old Mr. Bowling appears a contender for the 2015 Longacres Mile. With Mario Gutierrez up, Mr. Bowling defeated Modern by 1-¼ lengths in 1:42.74 for 1 1/16 miles, just one tick off the 40-year-old track record at the Vancouver bullring.