L G's Gold finds the right spot

AUBURN, Wash. - L G's Gold drops into a logical spot on Thursday when she heads a field of eight 3- and 4-year-old fillies in the Emerald Downs feature, a six-furlong test for $15,000 to $12,500 claimers who have never won three races.

L G's Gold, a 4-year-old daughter of Stolen Gold from the barn of trainer Larry Wolf, has been consistently close against better competition in six starts at the meeting, logging a second and two thirds while never finishing more than four lengths behind the winner. All of L G's Gold's starts at the stand have come against $25,000 or $20,000 company and Thursday's price reduction, plus the nonwinners-of-three condition, might be enough to nudge her into the winners' circle.

L G's Gold, a stalker, should get a comfortable trip after breaking from the outside post under regular rider Juan Gutierrez.

Three others in Thursday's field are taking a similar class drop: Foxy Roxy, Punxsutawney, and Zairsaplan. L G's Gold outfinished Ms. Foxy Roxy when that rival last raced on June 25, and she outfinished both Punxsutawney and Zairsaplan, going six furlongs for a $25,000 tag on July 11. L G's Gold finished four lengths back of the winning Steal a Mac in fourth, while Zairsaplan was beaten eight lengths in sixth and Punxsutawney was effectively distanced.

The lone 3-year-old in Thursday's field, Ruby Slew has a chance to go unchallenged on the lead. Ruby Slew showed the way through fast fractions when racing under Thursday's conditions in her last start on July 16, but tired late to finish third.