Fort Yates will chase speedster

AUBURN, Wash. - Fort Yates will attempt to make it two wins in a row on Saturday when he heads a competitive field of nine older sprinters, each eligible to be claimed for $32,000, in the featured race at Emerald Downs.

Fort Yates, a 4-year-old son of Tribunal from the barn of trainer Pat Mullens, comes off a late-running score over $25,000 rivals on May 9, when he got six furlongs in 1:10 under Travis Cunningham. That was the fourth win from seven starts for Fort Yates, who began his career last season with three straight wins.

Garbu's Tab figures as the one to catch, as he is coming off a pace-pressing effort in the May 4 Seattle Handicap at six furlongs. That was the first start at Emerald Downs for Garbu's Tab, a 5-year-old son of Garbu who is trained by Charles Essex. He previously raced in the Southwest, where he won 8 of 30 starts before being claimed out of a winning effort against $25,000 rivals by K J Star Stable on March 15 at Sunland Park.

Also dangerous is Coastal King, who comes off a seventh-place finish to Diligent Prospect in a $40,000 optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs April 26. Coastal King, a 5-year-old son of Charismatic trained by Frank Lucarelli, was making his 2008 debut that day. He also broke from the rail, which may be significant. In his last 20 starts, Coastal King is 0 for 9 from the rail. He has won 4 of his last 11 races when drawing off the rail, and will start from post 8 on Saturday.