Defending Longacres Mile champion Wasserman, improving with every start, takes aim at his first victory of 2009 in the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs on Sunday, July 5.
Wasserman has won the last two Governor’s—including last year’s dramatic victory by a nose in which the top four finishers were separated by less than a length. First though Wasserman has to figure out a way to beat his stable mate, Assessment, a steady performer who has finished ahead of Wasserman in all four of their meetings this year. Most recently, in the Budweiser Emerald Handicap at one mile, Assessment held off Wasserman for a neck victory in 1:36.20.
Trainer Howard Belvoir said he plans to run both Wasserman and Assessment in the Governor’s Handicap. Assessment has been a steady performer this season, winning an opening night allowance race at 5 ½ furlongs, finishing second to Kruger Park in both the Seattle Handicap at six furlongs and the FSN Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs, and then stretching-out for his first stakes victory in the Budweiser Emerald. Wasserman has run in the same four races, finishing fourth twice, third in the FSN, and second in the Budweiser Emerald.
Kruger Park could prove tough scaling back to a sprint, while multiple stakes winner Margo’s Gift and Atta Boy Roy — a recent allowance winner in 1:07.40 for six furlongs — add further depth to the division.
On Saturday, Independence Day, fillies and mares race one mile in the King County Handicap. Gadget Queen, three-length winner over High Resolve in the Washington State Legislators Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs, heads a nomination list that includes multiple stakes winner Elusive Horizon and Enumclaw Girl.
Nominations for the 70th running of the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap, to be run Sunday, July 5: Assessment (5-KY), Howard Belvoir, Tice Ranch Stables LLC; Atta Boy Roy (4-WA), Valorie Lund, R.E.V. Racing LLC; Bank Emblem (6-CA), Robert Gilker, Leo and Norma Shaw; Kruger Park (5-FLA), Carlos Moreno, Maria Isabel Moreno; Margo’s Gift (4-WA), Doris Harwood, Elttaes Stable; Reel Prime (4-KY), Mike Puhich, Mark Dedomenico LLC; Tritium (4-WA), Bill Tollett, Ramer Holtan; and Wasserman (7-WA), Howard Belvoir, Howard Belvoir.
Nominations for the 14th running of the King County Handicap, to be run Saturday, July 4: Eclatante (5-CA), Larry Ross, Dr. & Mrs. Duane Hopp; Elusive Horizon (4-KY), Doris Harwood, Northwest Farms LLC; Enumclaw Girl (4-WA), Rosie Simkins, Doris Konecny; Gadget Queen (5-WA), Blaine Wright, John and Janene Maryanski; Judicature (5-WA), Bill Tollett, Ramer Holtan; Lucy Got Lucky (3-KY), Blaine Wright, John and Janene Maryanski; Nina Win (5-WA), Roy Lumm, Blue Diamond Stable; Screaminleapofaith(5-WA), Valorie Lund, Jim Kiser; and She’s All Silk (6-WA), H.R. Pat Mullens, Ed Zenker.
