Bob Stories takes on 'Table Me'

AUBURN, Wash. - Recent winners Bob Stories and Table Me N Saros face off in Friday's Emerald Downs feature, a six-furlong test for $6,250 claimers that has attracted a field of seven older sprinters.

Bob Stories defeated Factory Mill, who is also in Friday's field, by nearly two lengths when he scored going 6 1/2 furlongs while racing at the $5,000 claiming level on May 9. It was the 17th victory from 86 tries for Bob Stories, an 8-year-old son of Old Stories who is trained by George Colello.

Table Me N Saros, a 5-year-old son of Saros from the barn of trainer Roy Lumm, won a six-furlong test for $6,250 claimers on May 16 by slightly more than a length. Among those he outfinished were Friday foes Long on Pride, Allrightea, and Stately Jack Flash.

The track was unusually kind to horses coming from off the pace on both May 9 and May 16, and both Bob Stories and Table Me N Saros benefited from near-perfect stalking trips.

One rival who appeared to be significantly disadvantaged by the bias on May 16 was Stately Jack Flash, who was rushed up to contest a rapid pace before tiring late to finish fourth. Stately Jack Flash, a 4-year-old son of Stately Wager, was claimed that day by trainer Allen Hoksbergen for owner Michael Phillips.

Stately Jack Flash won his prior outing going five furlongs against $6,250 starter allowance company from slightly off the pace, and rider Amir Cedeno will have the luxury off assessing the situation before committing to a strategy after breaking from the outside post on Friday.