Bisbee's Prospect takes drop

AUBURN, Wash. - Bisbee's Prospect drops out of the stakes ranks to head a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's Emerald Downs feature, a $50,000 optional claiming race at six furlongs.

Bisbee's Prospect, who is not entered to be claimed, was an impressive 4 3/4-length winner of the six-furlong U.S. Bank Stakes here on opening day, and was made the even-money favorite when she came back in last month's Federal Way Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs. She could not overtake the front-running Youcan'ttakeme that day, however, and she tired just enough to allow Top Penny to nip her at the wire for second.

Trainer Bob McMeans said he hopes to get Bisbee's Prospect back on track Saturday, when she will be ridden by leading jockey Kevin Radke at 121 pounds, but the result is far from a foregone conclusion.

Posing the most serious challenge to Bisbee's Prospect is Happyeverafter, who has two impressive wins in as many starts at the meeting. A winner over maiden special weight company here last season, Happyeverafter returned in a $40,000 claiming race on May 3 and led throughout six furlongs in 1:08.40 to win by nearly four lengths. In a $50,000 starter allowance race on May 17, Happyeverafter again set all the fractions en route to a 5 1/4-length score in 1:17 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Gary Baze again has the call from trainer Craig Roberts at 119 pounds.

Those who figure to contribute to a hot pace include Turf Paradise stakes winner Silk N Diamonds, recent maiden winner Marva Jean, and Best Practices.