Distance no test for 'Frederick'

AUBURN, Wash. - Lord Frederick will head a group of seven long-winded older horses in Thursday's Emerald Downs feature, a 1 1/4-mile test for runners eligible to be claimed for $25,000 to $22,500.

Lord Frederick, a 5-year-old son of Dance Floor from the barn of trainer Bill Smith, should not have a problem with the 10-furlong distance. He raced as far as 2o1/8 miles last year, and his four wins last year included a victory at 1 1/2 miles at Hastings. He just missed going 1 1/2 miles at this track, finishing a nose behind Itstufftobegood in the final installment of last year's Harley H. Hoppe and Associates Marathon Champion Series. Lord Frederick is coming off a creditable fourth to Escalante when going a mile against $25,000 claimers on July 1 and should be ready for one of his better efforts Thursday.

Geririg also is proven over extended distances, though his best efforts have come on turf. Geririg, a 7-year-old son of Geri who is trained by Mike Hill, won the 1 3/8-mile Wildcat Handicap over the Turf Paradise grass course in April. He came back to finish a close fourth in the Hasta La Vista Handicap at 1 7/8 miles in May. In his first try at Emerald Downs, he finished an unthreatening sixth behind Bartus Christian when racing a mile under $10,000 starter allowance conditions on June 16.

Bartus Christian again figures as the one to catch Thursday, but he will probably have to withstand an early challenge from Piracy.