Gelding takes drop seeking win

AUBURN, Wash. - Tomorrow's Turn, who has been afflicted by seconditis since collecting his maiden win here more than a year ago, will attempt to get over the hump when he heads a field of eight 3-year-olds, each eligible to be claimed for $20,000, in Friday's six-furlong feature at Emerald Downs.

Tomorrow's Turn, a gelded son of Tomorrow's Slew from the barn of trainer Jim Fergason, graduated against $16,000 maidens in his second career start on July 23 of last year. Since then, he has registered 5 second-place finishes and 3 thirds, including 3 stakes placings, from 9 starts. Tomorrow's Turn is exiting the only off-the-board finish of his career, as he ran sixth to Pure as Gold in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race on July 15, but he is returning to a level at which he has proven effective and probably rates an edge off his consistency. Juan Gutierrez, up for the maiden win, will take over the mount.

Tomorrow's Turn may receive his sternest challenge from Valentine Parade, who has won 4 of 8 career starts and is coming off a victory over $15,000 claimers on Aug. 6. Valentine Parade, a son of Parade Ground trained by Robbie Baze, covered 6 1/2 furlongs in a rapid 1:15.60 in his recent win and has the highest last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 69.

Also dangerous is Judi's Kat, who lures Emerald's leading rider, Kevin Krigger, off two other contenders. Judi's Kat, trained by Tim McCanna, ran fifth in the Stars and Stripes Stakes on

July 4 before finishing fourth against $20,000 claimers on Aug. 4.