Harbor the Gold babies top sire stakes
They've shown promise - either in their limited race experience or their works as they kick off their careers - and now they get a chance to deliver on it when they go postward in Saturday's $30,000 Northwest Stallion Strong Ruler Stakes at Emerald Downs. The event, for 2-year-olds by sires standing in Washington, is carded for 5 1/2 furlongs and drew a field of seven.
Koala Beach, owned by Jeff Harwood and trained by Doris Harwood, looms the favorite off an impressive debut score. The gelded son of Harbor the Gold kicked off his career here June 28 against $30,000 maiden claimers, bounced right out to the lead, rebuffed an early challenge, and gamely held. He's since shown he retains his edge with two bullet workouts - a 59.80-second breeze on July 8 and a 36.60 breeze July 16. Ricky Frazier, up for that debut win, keeps the call.
But Koala Beach's debut Beyer Speed Figure of 53 isn't the field's best. Hollywood Harbor, also a son of Harbor the Gold and trained by Chris Stenslie, posted a better figure in defeat in his June 21 debut. He broke slowly but rushed up to get into the race and continued on gamely to finish second, while registering a 58 Beyer. Jose Zunino, who was up for that debut run, keeps the call.
Private Jettz comes here off an impressive debut tally over $12,500 maiden claimers June 6. The son of Private Gold, owned by John and Janene Maryanski and trained by Blaine Wright, dueled early as the 7-10 favorite under Juan Gutierrez in that 4 1/2-furlong race and kicked away into the lane to win clear by 3 3/4 lengths. He earned a 43 Beyer and boasts four works since. Gutierrez keeps the call.
Movie Clip ran second in his June 14 debut here for Doris Harwood and has since breezed in a sharp 47.60 on June 14. Castle Romeo, trained by Bill Tollett, finished fourth in his first two outings, though in his second start on June 21 he finished 10 lengths behind Hollywood Harbor.
Tequila Gold and Bogachiel both make their career debuts here off some solid works.