Bella Rubia after third straight win

AUBURN, Wash. - Bella Rubia shoots for her third straight win on Thursday, in a field of five 3-year-old fillies in the feature at Emerald Downs, a 6 1/2-furlong race for $25,000 claimers.

Bella Rubia graduated in her second start, running six furlongs in 1:11.80 on a muddy track to win by a head in $16,000 maiden company. Coming back against $15,000 claimers on Aug. 28, she improved her six-furlong clocking to 1:10 and again won by a head.

Bella Rubia's sternest opposition might be Southern California invader Danjel, a half-sister to $383,000 earner Revillew Slew. Danjel won her debut against $25,000 claiming maidens at Hollywood on June 13, getting six furlongs in 1:12. She then finished fourth and second against winners at the $32,000 and $25,000 levels before moving to Del Mar, where she was unplaced in a seven-furlong race in $32,000 company.

Danjel arrived at Emerald late last month and has worked once for new trainer Ben Root.

Also dangerous is One for You, who may be the speed of Thursday's lineup. One for You led throughout in maiden special weight company here on May 7, but she has since gone unplaced in four starts. She met allowance rivals in her first three starts versus winners, however, and was fourth against older fillies and mares in her last start on April 15. Thursday's race is easier.

One for You is a racing rarity in that she is a twin. Her twin's name is And One for Me.