Emerald flash Trackattacker looks like the goods

AUBURN, Wash. – If there were an official “horses to watch” list at Emerald Downs, Trackattacker would share top billing with Stopshoppingdebbie, the undefeated 4-year-old filly who will put her 6-for-6 record on the line Sunday in the $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes.

Trackattacker’s next start is unknown. It could come in the $50,000 Emerald Express on July 20, the meeting’s first stakes race for 2-year-olds. But folks at Emerald are still buzzing about Trackattacker’s first outing last Sunday, in which he broke the long-standing track record for 4 1/2 furlongs.

Trackattacker covered that distance in 49.98 seconds en route to a nine-length victory, breaking Sea Speaker’s mark of 50.00 set in 2007. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 74.

Trackattacker, trained by Frank Lucarelli for Roy and Ellie Schaefer, was well backed in the wagering, paying $7.60. The Schaefers acquired him for $25,000 at the 2013 Washington yearling and mixed sale in September. By Harbor the Gold, Trackattacker is from the In Excess mare Eclatante and was bred in Washington by Duane and Sue Hopp.

Roy Schaefer said he and Lucarelli expected big things from Trackattacker right off the bat.

“When I was watching him work in the morning in company with several others and they were holding the horse as tight as they could, I knew he was pretty good,” Schaefer said. “Dennis Snowden broke him, and he was always high on him.

“In all honestly, I was looking at the track record, and I thought, ‘You know something, I really think this horse can beat the track record.’ The comments I was getting from Frank and Dennis, and what I was seeing, they were pretty impressed. I can honestly say I wasn’t that surprised.”

The Schaefers previously campaigned Atta Boy Roy, a graded stakes winner who earned more than $600,000. Based on these preliminary returns, Trackattacker could be their next big horse.

“I told Mrs. Hopp at the sale before I bought him, I told her, ‘This horse would look good with my silks on him,’ ” Schaefer said. “I’ve liked the horse from Day 1. I was excited when I bought him.”

◗ Joining Stopshoppingdebbie on the list of nominees for Sunday’s Washington State Legislators Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs: Madam Pele, the distant runner-up behind Stopshoppingdebbie in the May 11 Hastings Handicap, Blueberry Smoothie, Goin to the Window, Finding More, Havasu Falls, Stephanie Plum, and Tabled With Gold.