'Gold' goes for third straight win

AUBURN, Wash. - Steal the Gold seeks her third straight victory on Friday when she steps up to the allowance level to take on five other 3-year-old fillies in the six-furlong feature at Emerald Downs.

Steal the Gold, a daughter of Stolen Gold from the barn of trainer George McIvor, began the meeting inauspiciously when she ran 11th for a $20,000 claiming price on April 30. She came back to defeat $12,500 company by 6 1/2 lengths on May 15, however, and she confirmed that performance with another easy win over $25,000 claimers on May 23, when she got six furlongs in 1:09.80. Kevin Mangold rides again at 120 pounds.

Three of Steal the Gold's rivals on Friday are also coming off sharp wins. Notjustanytiz won her debut against maiden special weight company on May 20, when she matched Steal the Gold's latest clocking for six furlongs. One for You also beat maiden special weight company, going 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04 on May 7, and Newyearsresolution graduated at the maiden special weight level on May 16, when she got 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.60.

Also dangerous is Karis Makaw, who beat maiden special weight rivals going five furlongs April 23 before coming back to run a troubled third to stakes winner Melba Jewel in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance affair on May 22.

Driving Miss M, who will be making her seasonal debut for trainer Dan Markle, rounds out the field. In her lone start last year, Driving Miss M defeated maiden special weight company at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Friday's eight-race card will get under way at 6:10 p.m.