Debut winner vs. $105 horse

AUBURN, Wash. - Adevilgetshisdue, an impressive debut winner here on April 29, will test his mettle against winners for the first time in Saturday's Emerald Downs feature, a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds at six furlongs.

Adevilgetshisdue, a son of Devil His Due trained by Blaine Wright, came from fourth position to defeat $40,000 maidens by 1 3/4 lengths in his bow, getting 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.20. He came back to work a strong five furlongs on May 13, and assistant trainer Scott Freeman feels he is coming up to his second start in apple pie order.

"He has always been a very professional individual, and nothing seems to rattle him," said Freeman. "We feel he has quite a bit of potential."

Among Adevilgetshisdue's more interesting opponents is Rave Rave Rave, who will be making his seasonal debut after providing a memorable $105.20 win payoff in his maiden victory last season. Rave Rave Rave is trained by Tom Wenzel, who said the huge payoff in the Oct. 1 maiden special weight affair was the result of freakish circumstances.

"The first time he ran last year both of his reins broke at about the seven-sixteenths pole, and the rider never regained control of him," said Wenzel. "Then he came back and acted up in the gate, and I think he left his race right there in his second start. Finally in his third start everything went smoothly, and he ended up winning by nine lengths in 1:09 flat for six furlongs. Really, we always thought he could run that way."