A group of nine evenly matched fillies and mares have been nominated to the $50,000 King County Handicap at Emerald Downs to be run Sunday, July 4.
The 15th running of the King County headlines a 10-race holiday program that begins at 2 p.m. The King County, the first two-turn test for fillies and mares, is an important stepping-stone to the $75,000 Emerald Distaff on Sunday, Aug. 22.
Northwest Farms’ Elusive Horizon swept both the King County and Emerald Distaff last season and was unanimously voted Top Older Filly or Mare. The brilliant daughter of Elusive Quality has been retired to the breeding shed, but the mare that finished second in both events, Gadget Queen, is back for trainer Blaine Wright and owners John and Janene Maryanski.
A 6-year-old Washington-bred by Flying With Eagles, Gadget Queen (29-8-9-3-$245,210) has been a study in consistency during five seasons at Emerald Downs. She’s won stakes short and long and has finished in the top three in 12-of-16 local outings.
No Flies On Doodle, winner of the Hastings Handicap and Washington State Legislators Stakes, ran at Prairie Meadows last week and will sit out the King County. Speedsters like Clair Annette and Perfect Finish could benefit from her absence.
Clair Annette has won 7-of-13 local starts while Perfect Finish was a double stakes winner last fall at Portland Meadows, including a victory vs. males in the one-mile Mt. Hood Handicap.
Barbara’s Love is rounding into form for trainer John Holmes, rallying for a close third in the May 31 Washington State Legislators Stakes.
And trainer Jim Penney, having one of his finest seasons at Emerald Downs, nominated Super Dixie and 3-year-old Private Fortune.
Nominations for the King County Handicap
Nominee: Barbara’s Love (5-CA)
Owner: L.T.D. Stable
Trainer: John Holmes
Nominee: Clair Annette (7-WA)
Owner: Nina Egbert
Trainer: Connie Bouslaugh
Nominee: Crocodile Tuff (4-KY)
Owner: Sue & Tim Spooner
Trainer: Dan Markle
Nominee: Eyes On the Prize (4-KY)
Owner: Ron Crockett Inc.
Trainer: Frank Lucarelli
Nominee: Gadget Queen (6-WA)
Owner: John & Janene Maryanski
Trainer: Blaine Wright
Nominee: Perfect Finish (4-WA)
Owner: Howard Belvoir
Trainer: Howard Belvoir
Nominee: Private Fortune (3-WA)
Owner: Blue Ribbon Racing No. 2
Jim Penney
Nominee: Super Dixie (4-KY)
Owner: Kama’aina Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Jim Penney
Nominee: Yonnie Creek (4-WA)
Owner: Savario Farm
Trainer: Diane Garrison
