All N the Game after 3rd straight

AUBURN, Wash. - All N the Game seems nicely spotted to win his third straight at Emerald Downs on Thursday, when he takes on eight other $16,000 3-year-olds in the featured seventh race.

All N the Game, a son of Game Plan from the barn of trainer Dan Markle, graduated over modest $10,000 maidens when stretched out to 1 1/16 miles on July 31, then came back on Aug. 14 to defeat $16,000 winners with a mile in 1:37.80. Jockey Gary Baze was up for both of those wins, and Baze gets off two other contenders to retain the mount at 121 pounds.

All N the Game came from well back in both of his recent wins and figures to appreciate a lively pace Thursday, which certainly seems likely. Skookum Pass and Runnin' the River hooked up to duel through a half-mile in 43.80 seconds in their last race, a 6 1/2 furlong test for $25,000 3-year-olds on Aug. 16. Both will be stretching out to a mile for the first time.

The key for Skookum Pass and Runnin' the River is to avoid another torrid pace duel on Thursday, as they both tired to finish out of the payoff positions in their last meeting. Both are bred to handle the mile under the right circumstances, but neither has displayed a rating gear.

Sandi Gann has the call from trainer Roy Lumm aboard Skookum Pass at 121 pounds, while Scott Saito will ride Runnin' the River for trainer Junior Coffey at 116 pounds.