Bisbee's Prospect favored

AUBURN, Wash. - Bisbee's Prospect will head an intriguing field of seven 3-year-old fillies in Sunday's $40,000 Irish Day Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Emerald Downs.

With divisional leader Youcan'ttakeme sidelined with a minor injury, Bisbee's Prospect should be a clear favorite based on her stellar career record of three wins and a pair of thirds from five starts, including a victory in the six-furlong U. S. Bank Stakes on opening day, April 19.

Like most of her rivals, however, Bisbee's Prospect is unproven around two turns, having finished third in her lone try last year when she suffered a breathing problem in the Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at one mile. She comes into the Irish Day following a smart allowance win at six furlongs May 31 and should have no excuse Sunday, when she will be ridden by leading rider Kevin Radke.

Bisbee's Prospect figures to receive her sternest challenges from Silk N Diamonds and Top Penny, both sprint stakes winners at Turf Paradise. Silk N Diamonds will be making her first start beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, but Top Penny is coming off a distant second to Youcan'ttakeme in the one-mile Son of Briartic Stakes June 1. She should benefit from the recent route experience.

The only entrant who has won around two turns is Brave Miss, a convincing four-length winner over maiden special weight company here June 1. Brave Miss is a half-sister to Ball and Chain, a multiple route stakes winner at Hastings Park, and she is trained by Barbara Heads, who trained last season's top filly or mare at Emerald, Always a Dixie.