Judicature out to regain 2006 form

AUBURN, Wash. - Judicature, one of the brightest stars in last year's 2-year-old filly division at Emerald Downs, will take on five older rivals at a mile in Friday's feature race. The race will be run under $32,000 optional claiming conditions, with two of the runners entered for the tag.

Judicature, a daughter of Tribunal from the barn of trainer Bill Tollett, won the six-furlong Angie C. and the 6 1/2-furlong Knights Choice last year, and also ran third as the favorite in the one-mile Barbara Shinpoch Stakes. She has run just once this year, checking in eighth after a troubled trip in the May 12 U.S. Bank Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

Though it appears she is in tough Friday, Judicature has trained very well, and Tollett excels with horses stretching out to a route of ground. Kevin Radke will ride at 113 pounds.

Two other potential favorites in the race are Cielo Dulce, who is dropping out of a fourth-place fiish in the one-mile King County Handicap, and Hit a Star, who is coming off a six-length win against $32,000 claimers on July 1, when she ran the mile in a fast 1:35.80.

Arco Iris, who will be making her second start of the year after running fifth against $50,000 optional claimers, and Awesome Girl, a winner in $40,000 starter allowance company on the Golden Gate turf course in June, are the two in for a tag.

Smokie River, third to Arco Iris's fifth June 16, completes the field.