'Itstuff' back at scene of success

AUBURN, Wash. - Itstufftobegood returns to Emerald Downs on Friday to head a field of five in the second leg of the Seattles Best Joe Marathon Series. A 1 1/4-mile race, the second leg will be contested under $10,000 starter handicap conditions.

Itstufftobegood dominated last year's marathon series. After skipping the initial leg, run at 1 1/8 miles, Itstufftobegood scored consecutive wins in the 1 1/4-mile, 1 1/2-mile, and 1 3/4-mile legs of the series. He has since raced at Golden Gate, Zia Park, and Turf Paradise, winning one of six starts while racing primarily in turf stakes. His lone win in that stretch came in a $25,000 one-mile stakes at Turf Paradise in March, and he has not raced since running fifth of 11 in a 1 3/8-mile stakes on the Turf Paradise turf course on April 30. Trained by Neil Knapp, Itstufftobegood will be ridden by Kevin Krigger and carry 122 pounds.

The most serious challenger to Itstufftobegood is Alcres George, who comes off a third-place finish in the first leg of the series July 14. The two horses who outfinished Alcres George, Lord Frederick and Don'twritemeoff, raced last Sunday and were not entered back. Lord Frederick finished eighth in a turf allowance race at Santa Rosa, and Don'twritemeoff finished second to Flamethrowintexan here in the $100,000 Mt. Rainier Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Others in Friday's lineup are Adobe Hill, Get Connected, and Big Hero, who comes off a win over $10,000 claimers at a mile.