Marianne Rose back quickly

AUBURN, Wash. - A field of 11 2-year-old fillies will vie for divisional leadership in Sunday's six-furlong Angie C. Stakes, the first stakes for juveniles at the Emerald Downs meeting.

Marianne Rose may rule a slight favorite off her impressive victory over $40,000 maidens just eight days ago. Marianne Rose, a daughter of More Than Ready from the barn of trainer Richard Wright, sped five furlongs in 58.20 seconds to win by 8 1/2 lengths under Ben Russell. That was Marianne Rose's initial outing, and the 65 Beyer she earned is the highest in the field.

Marianne Rose might get her sternest opposition from Cascade Rose and Welken, the one-two finishers in a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs on June 24.

Cascade Rose, a daughter of Giant's Causeway who sold for $325,000 as a weanling, won that race by a head in 1:04.80 under Ben Russell. Russell has opted to ride Marianne Rose on Sunday, so trainer Doris Harwood has named Ricky Frazier to take over the mount on Cascade Rose.

Welken, a daughter of Sky Classic who is trained by Steve Bullock, just missed catching Cascade Rose despite hopping at the start. The stoutly bred Welken, like Cascade Rose, should appreciate the added sixteenth on Sunday, when she will again be ridden by Nate Chaves.

Welken will race coupled in the wagering with Jacolatt, as both fillies are owned by Rodney Orr. Jacolatt, a daughter of Twining who is also trained by Bullock, posted a 2 3/4-length win over $20,000 maidens in her only start, on June 16.

Skewing and Wazzu Red will form another coupling, as both are owned in part by trainer Roy Lumm. Skewing graduated over maiden $12,500 foes at 4 1/2 furlongs in her May 27 debut, while Wazzu Red needed three starts before defeating $20,000 maidens at 5 1/2 furlongs on July 4.

Not to be overlooked is Asuraslew, who defeated males in a $20,000 maiden event at five furlongs on June 25. Asuraslew, a daughter of Slewdledo from the barn of

trainer Dave Bennett, scored by 1 1/4 lengths over next-out winner Georges Luck in 58 seconds, good for a 61 Beyer. Asuraslew came back to work three furlongs in a very slow 39.60 on July 8, but Bennett warned that the drill should not be taken at face value.

"We just let her run a little at the end of a long gallop, and they clocked it," said Bennett. "We were working on her stamina. She has natural speed."