Emerald's best faces local stars

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The top older filly or mare at Emerald Downs, Karis Makaw, will take on the best older females at Hastings in the $40,000 Delta Collen Saturday. With seven stakes winners among the eight horses entered in the 1 1/16-mile feature, it appears to be a very competitive race.

Karis Makaw will likely be favored, and if she can transfer her form from Emerald Downs, she could be tough to beat. Trained by Robert Meeking, Karis Makaw has won 3 of her last 4 starts and, according to Meeking, she was much the best when she finished a troubled second in the Emerald Downs Breeders' Cup Distaff Aug. 21. Karis Makaw usually comes from slightly off of the pace and she should appreciate the quick fractions expected to be set by Pretty Meadow.

Ricky Frazier will come up from Emerald to ride.

Trainer Dave Forster has entered Socorro County and Summer Symphony.

Summer Symphony is very familiar with Karis Makaw. Last year's Breeders' Cup B.C. Oaks winner, Summer Symphony finished third to Karis Makaw in the one-mile King County Handicap and second in the Boeing Handicap July 30. Summer Symphony went unplaced in the Emerald Downs Breeders' Cup Distaff.

The late-running La Belle Fleur has won two stakes at the meet, and she looked very sharp in a five-furlong work in 59.80 seconds on Sept. 9.