Emerald Downs vs. Hastings in $65,000 Emerald Distaff | EmDowns

The two most accomplished fillies and mares in the Pacific Northwest square off Sunday when the pride of Hastings Racecourse-Evelyn's Dancer-faces the queen of Emerald Downs-Exclusive Diva-in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff at 1 1/8 miles.

The two most accomplished fillies and mares in the Pacific Northwest square off Sunday when the pride of Hastings Racecourse-Evelyn’s Dancer-faces the queen of Emerald Downs-Exclusive Diva-in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff at 1 1/8 miles.

A field of seven is entered, with Evelyn’s Dancer to carry high-weight of 123 lbs and Exclusive Diva second high weight at 121 lbs in the 18th running of Emerald Downs championship race for older fillies and mares.

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred, Evelyn’s Dancer has reeled off seven stakes wins the last two years in Vancouver, and she has an overall mark of 9-3-1 in 16 starts with earnings of $326,595 for Dr. Mark Dedomenico and North American Thoroughbred Racing Co. A front-runner, Evelyn’s Dancer is 1-1-0 in two starts at 1 1/8 miles, registering a victory in the $100,000 B.C. Oaks and finishing runner-up to 2012 Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting Class Included in the Grade 3 Ballerina.

Also a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred, Exclusive Diva is 7-4-1 in 12 career starts with earnings off $194,828 for Debbie Paxton and Northwest Farms. A stakes winner at ages 2, 3 and 4, Exclusive Diva also runs on or near the lead, and is 2-2-0 in four starts at the meet for trainer Tom Wenzel, including a win in the Washington State Legislators Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs. In her only start at nine furlongs, Exclusive Diva finished second beaten a head by Champagneandcaviar in the 2012 Washington Oaks.

E Z Kitty, a 5-year-old Washington-bred, has locked horns throughout the season with Exclusive Diva at Emerald Downs, and also figures to be a pace factor. Winner of 10 of 20 starts and six stakes-three apiece at Emerald Downs and Turf Paradise-she adds depth to the Distaff. As does Wando Woman, a 6-year-old B.C.-bred who has won over $200,000 while racing exclusively at Hastings Racecourse in a 25-race career.

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Field for 18th running of $65,000 Emerald Distaff

Sunday, Aug. 18, Race 6, 4:24 p.m.

(Post position, Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Weight)

1, Exclusive Diva,  Juan Gutierrez, Tom Wenzel, 121;

2, E Z Kitty, A. Sanguinetti, Jeff Metz, 120;

3, Whiskey Miner, Debbie Hoonan, Neil Knapp, 110;

4, Royal Moses, Javier Matias, Tim Harder, 115;

5, Champagneandcaviar, Russell Baze, Howard Belvoir, 115;

6, Evelyn’s Dancer, Aaron Gryder, Mike Puhich, 123; and

7, Wando Woman, Frank Fuentes, Junior Coffey, 117.