Closer and speedster rematched

AUBURN, Wash. - Oh Yes I Am and Arsen Annie will likely vie for favoritism in Friday's top offering at Emerald Downs, a six-furlong sprint that has drawn seven fillies and mares eligible to be claimed for $20,000 to $18,000.

Oh Yes I Am, a 5-year-old front-runner from the barn of trainer Bill Tollett, and Arsen Annie, a 7-year-old closer who is trained by Bill Smith, met here on May 28 in a $32,000 claiming affair at 6 1/2 furlongs. Oh Yes I Am was making her seasonal debut that day, and she tired to finish fifth, three lengths back of Sudden Departure, who returned to run second in the 6 1/2-furlong Washington State Legislators Handicap on June 10. Oh Yes I Am enjoyed high success here last season when she won three races and finished second twice in five outings.

Arsen Annie outfinished Oh Yes I Am on May 28, finishing 2 1/4 lengths behind Sudden Departure in fourth. She returned on June 9 to run third as the favorite in a mile test run under optional $25,000 claiming conditions and will be dropping in class while cutting back in distance on Friday.

Fergie's Fantasy is racing in very sharp form and also rates as a prime contender. Fergie's Fantasy, a 4-year-old trained by Frank Lucarelli, has posted three seconds and a win from four tries at this meeting. Her win came at the expense of $15,000 claimers at 5 1/2 furlongs on May 5, and she is coming off a second to Hit a Star in a $10,000 starter allowance event at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 8.