Mangold has shot at first win

AUBURN, Wash. - Apprentice Kevin Mangold appears well positioned to snap a frustrating drought Friday when he rides Los Pinos in the Emerald Downs feature, a one-mile race for $20,000 claiming 3-year-olds that has drawn a field of six.

Mangold entered this week's racing winless in 41 mounts since arriving here at mid-season from Southern California, and he is 0-for-141 for the year. It should be noted, however, that the hard-trying Mangold has had very few live mounts.

That does not appear to be the case with Los Pinos, an impressive winner over maiden $12,500 company in just his second start on July 28, when he came from well back to score in a rapid 1:10.40 for six furlongs. The ability to rate and finish that Los Pinos demonstrated that day should be an ideal quality, as all five of his rivals have done their best running on the lead. Los Pinos figures to have a fast and contested pace to target and will be hard to resist if he can reproduce his big late move at a mile.

Of the front-runners, Papa's Wave, Long on Pride, Bishop Wins, and Star of Rehaan have all posted mile wins at the $12,500 claiming level at the meeting. The final entrant, Game Cadillac, might prove quickest of the quick. Game Cadillac will be stretching out for the first time after showing keen speed while sprinting, and he will have the advantage of the rail.

Seattle native Scott Saito, who is currently sixth in the jockey standings at Thistledown in Ohio, has four mounts at Emerald on Friday and will earmark all of his earnings for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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