Impressive debuters clash

AUBURN, Wash. - Impressive debut winners A Classic Life and Amelia True Heart head a field of eight juvenile fillies in Saturday's best race at Emerald Downs, a first-level allowance test at 6 1/2 furlongs.

A Classic Life, a daughter of Sky Classic from the barn of trainer Grant Forster, wowed observers when she came out in a 5 1/2 furlong maiden special weight race on July 24, coming from off the pace to score by more than four lengths in 1:03.40 for 5 1/2 furlongs. The clocking ranks as the fastest at the distance for a 2-year-old of either sex at this meeting, and the manner in which she achieved it suggested she will only improve with distance. Ben Russell will re-ride at 119 pounds, the assignment for all entrants.

Amelia True Heart, a daughter of the promising freshman sire True Confidence, debuted in a 5 1/2-furlong test for $16,000 maidens on July 25, but it soon became apparent that she was slumming. Amelia True Heart took the lead soon after the start and widened at every pole, winning off by nearly 10 lengths in 1:04.40 for 5 1/2 furlongs. Trained by Linda Northam for owner Carol Ruby, Amelia True Heart will again be ridden by Kevin Krigger.

Set to test the undefeated runners is No Fences, who comes off a fourth-place finish in the 6 1/2-furlong Knights Choice Stakes on Aug. 1. No Fences, a Sharon Ross-trained daughter of Free at Last, broke at least half a dozen lengths behind her field that day, but finished with a rush.