'Angie' gets class drop, cuts back to mile

AUBURN, Wash. - Angie's Top Dot drops from the stakes ranks to head a field of seven 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's Emerald Downs feature, a one-mile race to be run under first-level allowance conditions.

Angie's Top Dot, a daughter of He's Tops from the barn of leading trainer Tim McCanna, won 2 of 4 starts before trying stakes company in the 1 1/16-mile Washington's Lottery Handicap on July 22. She went into that race with only one recent sprint under her belt, a 6 3/4-length win over $32,000 company at six furlongs, yet ran an even fifth behind the formidable Shampoo while outfinishing two rivals. She should be fully fit for today's cutback to a mile, and figures to be much tougher at Saturday's reduced level. Leading rider Ricky Frazier will take over the mount at 119 pounds.

Angie's Top Dot might get her sternest test from Eclatante, a daughter of In Excess who is trained by Sharon Ross. Eclatante has started twice this year, defeating $40,000 maidens and running second, beaten a neck, in a $40,000 optional claiming affair at six furlongs on July 7. Eclatante will be attempting a mile for the first time, but she is bred for a middle distance and could have the benefit of an easy lead.

Also a threat is Welken, third in the Angie C. Stakes here last season as a 2-year-old. Welken, a daughter of Sky Classic trained by Steve Bullock, has raced just once at 3, finishing fourth to Eclatante's second in the July 7 race.