'Buckshot' goes after 4th straight

AUBURN, Wash. - Do's Buckshot will aim for his fourth straight win in Thursday's Emerald Downs feature, a 1 1/16-mile race that brings together nine older horses under $3,500 starter handicap conditions.

Do's Buckshot, trained by Debbie Van Horne, will carry high weight of 123 pounds on the strength of his sharp current form. Do's Buckshot, a former class horse who contested the Portland Meadows Mile in April, began his current winning streak in May, winning two $3,500 claiming races at 6 1/2 furlongs. He stretched out to a mile while moving into $3,500 starter allowance company last time out on June 2 and again proved best, winning by nearly two lengths in 1:36.20 under regular rider Javier Ortega, who again has the mount.

Do's Buckshot figures to be tested by Mt. Vista, who comes off a late-running win in $7,500 company on June 4, covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17. That was the first start since March for Mt. Vista, but he has stamina and should be ready to stretch out to 1 1/16 miles. The last time he raced at this distance, Mt. Vista lost by a neck to Portland Meadows horse of the meeting Dave's Friend in an invitational handicap in January.

Another threat, if ready, is Table Me N Saros, who was a front-running winner of the Thanksgiving Handicap at a mile last Nov. 26 in Portland. Table Me N Saros has not raced since, but he has put in a pair of six-furlong workouts, including one in 1:12.80, for trainer Jim Sayler.