Feature not lacking in options

AUBURN, Wash. - There is a horse for every handicapping preference in Thursday's Emerald Downs feature, a one-mile race for $12,500 fillies and mares that has drawn a field of eight.

Like sharp horses moving up in class? You have your pick between Stormin Kitty, a winner of two straight who is jumping up from the $4,000 level, and First Class Air, who is moving up from the $7,500 level after winning 2 of her last 3.

How about big class-droppers? Shady Unlimited is your horse, because she is descending from the $32,000 ranks after going winless in four starts this year against much better. Last year, Shady Unlimited beat $17,500 winners after graduating at the same level.

Two others will attract interest because they are coming off good efforts under the same conditions as Thursday's headliner. Chel Sea N and Alaska Trip finished second and third behind Nancy Perkins going a mile under $12,500 claiming conditions on Aug. 24. Chel Sea N finished nearly four lengths ahead of Alaska Trip in that race, but she may be at a disadvantage after drawing the widest post for Thursday's outing.

Despite netting just a maiden win from 10 starts, Baker Girl could be the sleeper in Thursday's feature. Baker Girl, a 4-year-old trained by Bob Meeking, has five seconds to her credit and is coming off a narrow miss against $7,500 rivals at 6 1/2 furlongs.