Competitive sprinters rematched

AUBURN, Wash. - Press Release and Toutlelew, who finished one-two under the same conditions here less than three weeks ago, will head a field of eight in Friday's 6 1/2-furlong feature for older $25,000 claimers at Emerald Downs.

Press Release, a 5-year-old trained by Mike Chambers, prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over the pacesetting Toutlelew in the June 1 race. It was the second win from 16 starts for Press Release, who was favored for the seventh time in his career. Press Release came back to work a half-mile in a bullet 46.60 seconds on June 13 and figures to go favored again on Friday.

Toutlelew, a 5-year-old gelding trained by Bonnie Jenne, set a pressured pace before yielding late to Press Release. In his prior outing, he came from off the pace to defeat $17,500 rivals by 1 1/2 lengths. Toutlelew has 4 wins from 20 career starts, but he has yet to score beyond six furlongs.

Mazel Power poses a threat to the top two off his extremely sharp recent form. Mazel Power, a 6-year-old trained by Robbie Baze, has won two of his last three tries. In his most recent appearance, Mazel Power came from just off the pace to defeat $15,000 foes by more than three lengths in 1:09.40 for six furlongs.

Though Mazel Power will be stepping up in class, he owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the field, an 81. He also retains the services of leading rider Ricky Frazier.