Appeal Factor tries to do it again in WTBOA Lassies Stakes
Oak Crest Farm LLC’s Appeal Factor will be out to prove that her debut win in the Angie C. Stakes on July 9 was no fluke when facing many of the same fillies in Sunday’s WTBOA Lassies Stakes at Emerald Downs.
The 6 1/2-furlong contest has drawn a field of seven, including five who contested the Angie C. Handicappers will note that both fillies from the Angie C. who have run back have won.
Those merely glancing at the chart of the Angie C. Stakes might be inclined to downgrade the effort by Appeal Factor, given that she sat third behind dueling leaders and then took over from them in the stretch. The trio finished one-two-three.
In the Angie C., Appeal Factor was brushed from her right at the start and soon after was slammed from her left going halfway-to-sideways before settling into stride. Upon finding his charge farther back than he wished, jockey Silvio Amador asked Appeal Factor to accelerate nearing the half-mile pole. It was that burst which seemed to best exemplify the filly’s talent.
The dueling front-runners in the Angie C. were Bourbon Tiger and Mocktails Anyone, each having previously raced while the winner was making her first start. Bourbon Tiger won a maiden race on June 17 by three-quarters of a length at the direct expense of Mocktails Anyone.
Bourbon Tiger is trained by Blaine Wright, who said that his filly “got burned up” in the pace battle while positioned inside and expressed hope that “an outside post and a new jock that is hot” would make a difference.
Mocktails Anyone is an eye-catching gray who has done little wrong for trainer Frank Lucarelli despite remaining a maiden. She is a daughter of Mohaymen and a grandson of Tapit.
New to the stakes group is recent maiden winner She’s a Kraken, trained by Kay Cooper. The daughter of Nationhood won big first out and can be a factor from the opening bell with expected improvement.
Others in the lineup are Neissa, trained by Candice Cryderman; Special Diva, trained by Vince Gibson; and recent claim Parker’s Fifteen, now trained by Jose Navarro.
The Sunday card also includes WTBOA Lads Stakes. The Lads will go as race 7 on the program while the Lassies is race 9. The WTBOA Lads Stakes drew a field of five comprised of four who met in the King County Express Stakes on July 9, including winner Whiskey Harbor.
Whiskey Harbor, trained by Ryland Harwood, will face the two-three-five finishers from the King County Express Stakes, including runner-up Freightline, trained by Steve Bullock.
The third-place finisher in the King County Express was Bourbon Dancer, who is trained by Wright. “He showed he belongs,” Wright said. “Hopefully with better starts he can show more.”
Post time is 2 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, which is “Turn Back the Clock Day” and features “Longacres 1970’s Appreciation.” Admission, including a program, is $3 and the multi-race wagering menu is limited to just early and late daily doubles.
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