Enumclaw Girl to get tested

AUBURN, Wash. Enumclaw Girl will have seven rivals on Saturday when she seeks to remain undefeated in the $60,000 Federal Way Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Enumclaw Girl, a daughter of Katowice from the barn of trainer Rosie Simkins, is coming off a convincing 2 1/2-length score in the six-furlong U. S. Bank Stakes on May 10. Enumclaw Girl, who won her only start last year against maiden special weight company, was dismissed at 18-1 in the U. S. Bank. Her price will certainly be dramatically lower on Saturday, though she still might not be favored.

That role could again go to Startjumpin Marnie, who was bet down to 1-5 in the U. S. Bank but failed to show her best stuff after breaking slowly and racing blocked along the rail for much of the trip. Startjumpin Marnie, a Jump Start filly trained by Northern California kingpin Jerry Hollendorfer, came into the U. S. Bank off three straight wins. She graduated at the $50,000 maiden level at Santa Anita in February, then won a pair of optional claiming affairs at Bay Meadows in March and April.

Another invader in the Federal Way is Naturally Perfect, a daughter of Wild Event who has won 2 of 5 starts in California. She graduated at the $20,000 maiden level at Golden Gate in her second start on Jan. 11, then came back to defeat $16,000 winners on Jan. 28. She was claimed that day by trainer Lloyd Mason for owners Theresa and Edward DeNike, and she has since run third in an optional claiming race at Hollywood in March and fourth in the Bay Meadows Oaks on April 12.

Also a threat is Rain Shadow, who was an impressive debut winner against maiden special weight company here on May 16. Rain Shadow, a daughter of Stormy Atlantic trained by Jim Penney, covered six furlongs in 1:09.60 to win by nearly four lengths.

No Constraints, Jasmines Melody, Elusive Horizon, and Nothing in Common round out the field.

* Apprentice Matt Werner-Hagerty will make his riding debut aboard the Vince Gibson-trained Tops Echo in Saturdays fifth race. Werner-Hagerty, who turns 18 on Saturday, intended to begin riding nearly two years ago, but the Washington Horse Racing Commission delayed his plans by raising the threshold age for apprentices from 16 to 18.