4th straight win won't come easy

AUBURN, Wash. - Got You Slew will try for her fourth straight win at the Emerald Downs meeting on Friday when she takes on seven older fillies and mares, each eligible to be claimed for $8,000, in the one-mile feature.

All three of Got You Slew's recent wins were wire to wire going a mile. She beat $3,200 rivals on May 17, $5,000 foes on June 3, and $8,000 company on June 28. Her winning margin has shrunk from 4 1/2 lengths to a half-length as she has moved up the class ladder, prompting trainer Joe Toye to enter her back at the same level as her most recent win.

Though clearly a strong contender, Got You Slew faces a tough task on Friday. She sprinted clear early in her recent wins, but figures to have a difficult time shaking loose from several other speedsters in this field. Sky Valley Knight, Thread the Needle, Al Kayz, and Ragtime Ruthie all have good speed, and at least one of them is likely to challenge Got You Slew for the early lead.

If a speed duel develops, Faithfully, Farma Carma, and Mighbabe will be the ones to look for in the late going. Mighbabe is particularly intriguing because she is dropping out of a $12,500 claiming test at a mile for which she was favored.

The 6-year-old Mighbabe hopped twice at the start of that race and got away slowly and could not recover, finishing seventh of eight. But she is proven at the distance and class level of Friday's feature.