Klokstad filly eyes two in row

AUBURN, Wash. - Swingn' Notes will try to repeat her success in last month's one-mile Irish Day Handicap on Sunday, when she takes on seven challengers in the $40,000 Kent Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.

Swingn' Notes, a 3-year-old daughter of French Deputy from the barn of trainer Bud Klokstad, came from just off the pace to win the June 13 Irish Day by one length in 1:37.60. It was the third win from as many tries around two turns for Swingn' Notes, who also won the mile Corte Madera Stakes last December at Golden Gate.

"Routing just seems to be her thing," said Klokstad, who said that Swingn' Notes has worked very well since her latest win. "She has never been a great work horse, but she is working better now, and I hope that's a sign that the win picked her up. I know it picked me up."

Time for Magic, the runner-up in the Irish Day, is skipping Sunday's stakes, but Strong Faith, Sariano and Overact, who finished third through fifth, are back to try Swingn' Notes again.

Trainer Steve Bullock said he hopes that Sariano, who finished fastest of all to be beaten only 1 1/2 lengths, will be able to take advantage of the extra sixteenth on Sunday. "She was just too far off a slow pace last time, and she also lost some ground on the second turn when a horse came up on her inside and startled her," said Bullock. "The extra ground has to help her, and a faster pace wouldn't hurt."

Recent winners Arco Iris, Karis Makaw, and Sunset Valley will each make her stakes debut in the Kent. Likely pacesetter Melba Jewel rounds out the field.