AUBURN, Wash. – The feature race at Emerald Downs on Thursday, a $10,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies, attracted six runners, with Hope I Do and Super Starlett, both two-time winners at the meeting, likely to vie for the role of post-time favorite. Racing begins at 6 p.m. Pacific and the 6 1/2-furlong feature is the sixth of seven races.
Hope I Do won a $10,000 maiden claimer May 22 in her second start of the year and rolled to an easy, front-running victory in a $7,500 claimer for nonwinners of two races on June 17 in her second start against winners. She is trained by Larry Wolf, who has saddled 11 winners from 31 starters at the meeting, a 35 percent success rate. Gallyn Mitchell, who has been aboard for both of Hope I Do’s victories, has the riding assignment.
A victory by Hope I Do would continue a remarkable run for Wolf. The veteran trainer has won with seven of his past 11 starters, including a handful of longshots; a $2 win wager on each of his 31 starters at the meeting has yielded an average return of $5.26. Of his 11 winners, seven have led from start to finish. That’s Hope I Do’s preferred style, and she’ll be tough to beat Thursday.
Super Starlett has won her past two starts for trainer Neil Knapp, both against $7,500 claiming company, both in wire-to-wire fashion. She has finished first, second, or third in 12 of 15 career starts and attracted heavy betting support in recent outings. Ricky Frazier, Emerald’s leading rider, has the call. Super Starlett will break from post 2, just outside of Hope I Do, and those two could hook up early.
Trainer Terry Gillihan has two horses in the race, both with a legitimate chance. Appealing Resume is dropping a class level after a troubled trip for $12,500 less than two weeks ago. She captured a $12,500 claimer for nonwinners of two from just off the pace in her second start of the meeting April 23 and stands to benefit if the favorites expend a lot of energy in the early part.
Troy Stillwell will ride Appealing Resume, and Gillihan has named Kevin Krigger to ride Raebella, who has never been worse than third in four lifetime starts.
