Chu and You faces distance test in Irish Day Handicap

AUBURN, Wash. – Absent a clear pecking order in the 3-year-old filly division at Emerald Downs, a total of 13 horses were nominated for Sunday’s $50,000 Irish Day Handicap, a one-mile test that could muddle the picture even further.

Chu and You, who finished second in the June 1 Seattle Handicap after setting the pace, could start as the Irish Day favorite, but the quick Chu and You will be making her first start around two turns, having given no clear indication that she can carry her speed that far.

Chu and You won her first four starts in front-running fashion before tasting defeat against males last September in the season-ending Cahill Road Stakes on a sloppy track. She subsequently turned in an off-the-board finish in her 2014 debut at Hastings in Vancouver, British Columbia.

With the bloom temporarily off the rose, Chu and You went to post at 8-1 in the Seattle Handicap and easily outran her odds, setting a rapid pace – 44.34 seconds for the half-mile, 1:08.34 for six furlongs – before yielding grudgingly to odds-on California invader City by the Bay.

Chu and You earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 72 for her effort. She will carry the top weight of 119 pounds in the Irish Day, with regular rider Juan Gutierrez aboard for trainer Robbie Baze.

Strawberry Dawn and Find Your Spot are among the other leading contenders, with new shooters from both Hastings and Northern California also expected to compete. Strawberry Dawn pressed the pace in the Seattle before fading to finish fifth but might be more effective around two turns. Find Your Spot has won her past three starts – a starter allowance at Golden Gate, a first-level allowance at Santa Anita (in which she paid $52.20), and then a first-level optional claimer at Emerald Downs.

The other nominees are Avadiva, Belladiva, Cheeky Stone, Da Burn, Mylast Sweet Pea, Papa’s Flashy Girl, Quiet Wisdom, Red Ran Back, Sunpenny, and Timeless Pleasure.

◗ Emerald’s 3-year-old male division came into sharp focus with last Sunday’s Coca-Cola Handicap, and for the time being, trainer Doris Harwood has the competition surrounded.

Harwood started four horses in the Coca-Cola, including Del Rio Harbor, who raced to a convincing 2 1/2-length victory while covering one mile in 1:34.73, and runner-up Noosito, who was coming off an impressive victory of his own in the May 25 Auburn Handicap. Del Rio Harbor was assigned an 85 Beyer for his Coca-Cola victory, easily the best of his nine-race career.