The first stakes double-header of the season matches 3-year-old colts and geldings in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap and 3-year-old fillies in the $50,000 Irish Day Handicap.
The Coca-Cola and the Irish Day, both at one mile, will be run Sunday, June 24.
D’honorable One and Makors Finale*dead-heat victors in the June 3 Auburn Handicap*continue their budding rivalry in the Coca-Cola Handicap as 3-year-olds continue their march toward the Aug. 12 Emerald Derby.
Exclusive Diva, 8-½-length winner of the May 27 Seattle Handicap, attempts to carry her speed two turns in the Irish Day Handicap, as 3-year-old fillies continue their march to the Aug. 11 Washington Oaks. Owned and bred by Northwest Farms, Exclusive Diva is now a stakes winner at ages 2 and 3, and is 3-1-0 in four career starts with earnings of $70,605.
Coca-Cola nominee Taylors Deal would be a contender if shipped down from Hastings Racecourse. The son of Second in Command is 4-1-0 in six starts and is already a stakes winner around two turns. With Mario Gutierrez riding, Taylors Deal scored a 2-¼-length victory over Makors Finale in the $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby at 1-1/16-miles on Feb. 25. Devil in Disguise, winner of the June 2 River Rock Casino at Hastings, is another stakes-winner nominated to the Coca-Cola.
The John Sadler-trained Regal Betty, winner of the one-mile Arizona Oaks at Turf Paradise, is nominated to the Irish Day Handicap. A Florida-bred by Congrats, Regal Betty worked seven furlongs in 1:26-4/5 Sunday at Hollywood Park.
Nominations for the 17th Running of the Coca-Cola Handicap-Sunday, June 24
Horse Owner Trainer
Brady’s Kat (3-WA) West Coast Racing LLC David Martinez
City Twister (3-WA) Sue & Tim Spooner Dan Markle
D’honorable One (3-FLA) Nelson Family Racing Blaine Wright
Devil in Disguise (3-KY) North American T’bred Horse Co. Troy Taylor
Don’t Be Coy Roy (3-CAL) Debra Larson & Shadley Reichert David Bennett
Edge Forward (3-KY) Ivor & Jack Jones Doris Harwood
First Last Chance (3-WA) Ken Jochimsen & John Holmes Racing John A. Holmes
Havanna Red (3-WA) C.E. & Ann Richardson Chris Stenslie
Makors Finale (3-WA) Karl Krieg Tom Wenzel
Taylors Deal (3-BC) Glen Todd & Patrick Kinsella Troy Taylor
Nominations for the 17th Running of the Irish Day Handicap-Sunday, June 24
Horse Owner Trainer
Champagneandcaviar (3-KY) Fleur De Lis Stables Howard Belvoir
Exclusive Diva (3-KY) Northwest Farms LLC Tom Wenzel
Famous Jessica (3-WA) Buffalo Stables Terry Gillihan
Lady Hokulea (3-KY) Kama’aina Thoroughbreds Jim Penney
Muchas Coronas (3-WA) Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Pabst Jim Penney
Regal Betty (3-FL) Michael Talla John W. Sadler
Royal Moses (3-WA) Squatting Dog Stable & RG Warwick Tim Harder
Sweet Saga (3-WA) Riverbend Stable Larry Ross
Talk to My Lawyer (3-WA) Will This One Do Stable Chris Stenslie
