Class Included doesn’t need an abundant of speed in front of her to win stakes races at Emerald Downs. But with tactical speed and sharp late kick, it wouldn’t hurt either.
With speed-types such as E Z Kitty, Elusive Noise and Carrabelle Harbor entered in Sunday’s $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares at one mile, Class Included’s connections have to be thrilled with the possibility of a dream trip.
As if she needed one anyways.
The Kentucky-bred filly is 6-for-12 in her career including four stakes wins and nearly $250,000 in purse earnings. Nevertheless, Kay Cooper, chief assistant and daughter of trainer Jim Penney, said Class Included’s running style should be a big advantage.
“I think Class Included is going to have the run (of the race),” Cooper said. “She is very universal.”
Still, it’s a horse race, which means up-and-comer E Z Kitty and arch rival Elusive Noise won’t concede easily. The former comes off a scintillating performance in the June 10 Washington State Legislators Stakes, where she went gate-to-wire with a three-quarter-length triumph over Class Included. The win gave the 4-year-old He’s Tops filly her third straight and her second career stakes victory.
Elusive Noise, on the other hand, disappointed with her seventh-place effort in the Legislators, as she was unable to make the lead and never threatened. In her defense, she bumped hard at the start, while E Z Kitty had a two-length advantage within the first few jumps of the race.
The pace scenario could have a completely different outlook on Sunday, with an added 1½ furlongs and the reappearance of the ultra-quick Carrabelle Harbor. The Oregon-bred filly has been burning up the A.M. work tab recently, with back-to-back bullet workouts on June 27 (5F-:59.60) and Wednesday (4F-:45.80).
The field’s most intriguing runner, however, could be newcomer Cielator. The 4-year-old Delineator filly is 2-for-2 in her career and comes off a 1¼-length score that produced a 79 Beyer Speed Figure. Her connections are red hot, as owner Ron Crockett has won three straight and trainer Junior Coffey is 7-for-17 at the meeting. Furthermore, Coffey and jockey Jorge Rosales are a combined nine-for-27 lifetime.
The field for the 17th running of the Boeing Handicap (race nine, 6:09 p.m.): 1, Sweet Nellie Brown, William Antongeorgi, 117 pounds.; 2, Carrabelle Harbor, Eliska Kubinova, 115; 3, Class Included, Juan Gutierrez, 121; 4, Elusive Noise, Gallyn Mitchell, 118; 5, E Z Kitty, Leonel Camacho-Flores, 118; 6, Cielator, Rosales, 115; 7, Rewritten, Leslie Mawing, 116.
Harwoods send Noosa Beach home to rest
Trainer Doris Harwood and owner Jeff Harwood have decided to send Noosa Beach home to their Auburn farm, while they contemplate the future of their superstar gelding.
After watching Noosa Beach breeze five furlongs on June 25, Doris Harwood said he didn’t seem to be 100 percent.
“During his last workout, he just wasn’t himself,” she said. “It was an easy decision to send him home. We haven’t decided what our next move will be. We’re going to let him tell us what he wants to do.”
A 6-year-old son of Harbor the Gold, Noosa Beach has compiled a superb racing career that boasts numerous Washington-bred honors including Horse of the Year (twice), Champion 3-Year-Old and Champion Sprinter.
This season, however, has been tumultuous for Noosa Beach. First, he endured a tough trip in Governor’s Handicap, where he got carried out by Hollywood Harbor in the race’s final turn and finished fourth.
Then, in the Budweiser Handicap, Noosa Beach was a late scratch after flipping in the gate while his stablemate Aaron the Baron refused to load. Both Noosa Beach and jockey Leslie Mawing escaped serious injury, but Noosa Beach did sustain some superficial wounds. Harwood said she still wouldn’t rule out any races yet this season.
“There’s a chance he could come back and run, we just don’t know yet,” she said. “He’s training himself right now. He’s been running from one end of the pasture to the other. He’s pretty happy right now.”
Noosa’ brother to make career debut
While Noosa Beach rests on the sidelines, his full-brother Music of My Soul will make his first career start on Sunday in a maiden allowance race for 2-year-olds running five furlongs.
By Harbor the Gold and out of Julia Rose, Music of My Soul was purchased for $82,000 by Kenny Alhadeff (Elttaes Stable) in the 2011 WTBOA Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale. Trainer Doris Harwood said she has been impressed with the Music of My Soul’s training and temperament so far.
“He’s a mellow-minded colt,” she said. “He’s a big, long-striding horse. He does everything well, and breaks well from the gate, too.”
A good break will be key for Music of My Soul, after drawing the inside post. He will also have to contend with Finallygotabently*a Bernadini colt that finished a fast-closing second in his June 16 debut. Incidentally, Finallygotabently, trained by Tom Wenzel, is out of Smarty Deb, who Harwood trained to three stakes wins and fifth-place finish in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies for owner/breeder Jerre Paxton.
Notes
Week 12 honors: Jockey – Leslie Mawing (18-6-5-1); trainer – Neil Knapp (5-2-0-1); owner – Debra Larson & Shadley Reichert (1-1-0-0); groom – Elodio Madrigal (Robert Meeking); Washington bred – Polish Dollar (breeder Brad Varner) … Jockey Leslie Mawing is just 24 wins shy of 2000 victories in his career. The 38-year-old South African native bagged his 1976th win on Tuesday, after riding four winners on the special holiday card. Mawing has now ridden five straight multiple win days. … Trainer Howard Belvoir said multiple stakes winner Assessment is “close” to making his 2012 debut at Emerald Downs. An 8-year-old son of Jump Start, Assessment worked six furlongs on Wednesday in 1:12.60 (1/1). The 2009 Longacres Mile winner made his last start in late November, when he finished ninth in the Citation Handicap (Grade II) at Betfair Hollywood Park. … His stablemate, Wasserman, the track’s all-time leading money earner with $544,781, heads a six-horse field in Saturday’s feature race. The $20,000/$18,000 claiming race is set at one mile and goes as the eighth race on a nine-race card. … Emerald Downs will reach the halfway point of its 81-day meeting after race five on Sunday’s 10-race card. The meet concludes Sunday, Sept. 23. … On Sunday’s Paddock Preview, Michael Feuerborn will discuss probable favorite Class Included and her chances in Sunday’s $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares. Jacob Pollowitz, hosts from 1:05-1:20 p.m. … Taylor Said continues to be the top Longacres Mile contender at Hastings Racecourse. The 4-year-old British Columbia-bred has swept the first three stakes for older horses at the Vancouver track, including Monday’s two-length victory over 47-to-1 long shot Three Wood in the $50,000 Lt. Governor’s Handicap. Trained by Troy Taylor, Taylor Said ($3.80) ran 1-1/16 miles in 1:43.63 on a sloppy track and earned an 88 Beyer.
