Ethan's Baby could be the one to catch in Seattle Handicap

AUBURN, Wash. – Longshots have prevailed in the first three stakes races of the meeting at Emerald Downs, and horseplayers will face another difficult handicapping assignment Sunday when they try to decipher the $50,000 Seattle Handicap for 3-year-old fillies.

First post for Emerald’s 11-race program is 2 p.m. Pacific. The Seattle Handicap, race 9 on the program, attracted 10 entrants, but there is no obvious favorite among them. Ethan’s Baby, a stakes winner last year at 2 but off the board at Santa Anita in her only start this year, could be the “chalk” when all is said and done. But going in, the 6 1/2-furlong Seattle is wide open.

Ethan’s Baby wowed in her only two starts in 2014, taking a maiden race by 5 1/2 lengths and then romping by 6 1/4 lengths in the Angie C. Stakes in late July. Idle until this spring, she returned to competition May 1 at Santa Anita, where she set the pace in the $78,550 Ultrafleet Stakes on the hillside turf course before fading to finish sixth. She looms as the one to catch in the Seattle.

S U M Racer, a leading 3-year-old filly at Turf Paradise this winter, is among those who could pose a threat from off the pace if Ethan’s Baby comes back to the pack. S U M Racer won the one-mile Arizona Oaks in February. She’ll be handled in her Emerald Downs debut by Gallyn Mitchell, Emerald’s all-time leading jockey.

Adding to the uncertain forecast, four other entrants – Belle Hill, Deb’s Wildcard, Hip Ninety Three, and Suva Harbor – will be starting at Emerald Downs for the first time.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Ethan’s Baby (Last 3 Beyers: 56-56-55)

◗ By Offlee Wild, the speedy Ethan’s Baby was cared for at Santa Anita by trainer Craig Dollase. She is now back with her original trainer, Howard Belvoir, at Emerald Downs. She’ll have a new jockey, Javier Matias, who steps in for David Lopez, who is now riding at Hastings.

Deb’s Wildcard (Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-75)

◗ A late-running allowance sprinter from Northern California, Deb’s Wildcard boasts highly competitive Beyer Speed Figures for veteran trainer Lloyd Mason. She has won two of her past three starts, and her regular rider, Ricardo Gonzalez, will come in from the Bay Area on Sunday.

Suva Harbor (Last 3 Beyers: 66-53-68)

◗ Based at Santa Anita with John Sadler, Suva Harbor officially has won 2 of 8 starts. She also finished first in the $50,180 Fashion Island Stakes at Sunland Park in February but was disqualified and placed last for wiping out two rivals on the first turn.

Belle Hill (Beyers: 73-56)

◗ Purchased from a horses of racing age sale for $250,000 last fall, Belle Hill has been terrific in two starts at Golden Gate for trainer Larry Ross. She whipped maidens in her last start May 2, posting a Beyer of 73. A repeat of that effort would make her a contender in her first try against winners.