Daytona Beach, Noosito look to spark Harwood barn

AUBURN, Wash. – It’s been a quiet meet for Doris Harwood, Emerald’s all-time leader with 66 stakes wins, but things are about to heat up. Daytona Beach, a Harwood homebred, is likely to set the pace Sunday in the 1 1/16-mile Seattle Slew Handicap and might be good enough to win it. Next week, Noosito, Harwood’s stable star, will start as one of the favorites in the Mt. Rainier Handicap – the final stakes prep before the Aug. 16 Longacres Mile.

Daytona Beach was speedy and game in his first route attempt, and that might be just the tip of the iceberg.

Daytona Beach drew post 11 for the Seattle Slew.

“I’m not tickled with the 11 hole, but from there you don’t have to go to the front; you just have to see who’s sending,” Harwood said. “Plus, the mile and sixteenth gives you more time to the first turn. He’s coming up to the race nicely, and my jockey can do 115 pounds, so I’m happy.”

Noosito lost a heartbreaker to Stryker Phd in the one-mile Budweiser Handicap with jockey Diego Sanchez aboard. He’ll have a new jockey in Juan Gutierrez for the rematch in the Mt. Rainier next Sunday.

“I wasn’t unhappy with that ride, but I think I can improve the horse with a stronger rider on the front end,” Harwood said. “He’s coming up to the race exactly like I want him to. I think we can beat Stryker. I’m hopeful.”