Alfurune tries to show he's for real

AUBURN, Wash. - Alfurune will be out to validate his upset win in the Independence Day Handicap when he takes on six other older runners in Sunday's $100,000 Mt. Rainier Breeders' Cup Handicap at 1 1/8 miles.

Alfurune, a 5-year-old son of Alfaari from the barn of trainer Dave Doutrich, was dismissed at 9-1 in the 1 1/16-mile Independence Day, but closed powerfully to score by 1 1/2 lengths over 11-1 Poker Brad in a very fast 1:40.20.

Turban impressively won the 6 1/2-furlong Fox Sports Net Handicap and the mile Budweiser Emerald Handicap earlier in the meeting, and was part of an entry favored at 3-5 in the Independence Day. He flattened out after making an early move into an extremely fast pace and finished fourth.

Turban is one of two horses who will be saddled by trainer Jim Penney in the Mt. Rainier, but he will not be coupled with stablemate Sabertooth in the wagering, owing to separate ownership. Sabertooth won last season's Grade 3 Longacres Mile in front-running fashion, but he raced hooked through six furlongs in 1:08.40 in the Independence Day and gave way badly. He appears to be the clear speed of Sunday's field.

Rejoining the handicap ranks after skipping the Independence Day with a sore back is Moonlight Meeting, who won last year's Mt. Rainier.

Rounding out the field are Poker Brad, the winner of this year's Portland Meadows Mile and the runner-up in the Independence Day; Do's Buckshot, who will be making his stakes debut after winning a one-mile allowance test in 1:34.80; and Grade 2 winner Futural.