Fillies rematched in sprint

AUBURN, Wash. - Best Practices and Dashing Lady faced each other two weeks ago, finishing second and third, and they will hook up again in Friday's six-furlong feature at Emerald Downs.

The feature, for 3-year-old fillies who have not won twice other than maiden or lesser claiming races, has drawn a field of seven to race for tags of $25,000 or $20,000.

Best Practices was clearly second in the July 11 race, a race similar to Friday's, finishing 5 1/2 lengths clear of Dashing Lady and 1 1/2 lengths back of the upset winner, L G's Gold, who got the six furlongs in 1:10.40. Best Practices, a daughter of Tough Knight from the barn of Howard Belvoir, benefited from a clear lead that day, however, and faces several possible pace rivals on Thursday.

A contested pace would benefit Dashing Lady, who came from seventh to get third when she last faced Best Practices. Dashing Lady has herself flashed good speed in winning 2 of 5 career outings, but she took to rating tactics last time and may be able to build on that experience Friday. She is trained by Rick Terry

Dear Deputy may be Best Practices's primary rival for the early lead, as she is coming off a gate-to-wire win over $16,000 claimers on July 5, when she got six furlongs in a rapid 1:09.80. She was claimed out of that race by Roy Lumm, who has enjoyed extraordinary success with his recent claims.

Also dangerous is Driving Miss Susie, who is dropping sharply after a layoff. Driving Miss Susie finished fifth against stakes company in her last three outings, dating back to her 2-year-old campaign, and may have a class edge over her rivals on Friday.