'Monstarr' looks scary on step up

AUBURN, Wash. - Our Monstarr will attempt to extend her winning streak to three when she takes on seven other 3-year-old fillies in Friday's one-mile feature, for $10,000 to $12,500 claimers.

Our Monstarr, a daughter of Demons Begone and Bravest Star, is coming off a pair of wins over $7,500 company going 6 1/2 furlongs. Our Monstarr, who has helped trainer Dave Bennett achieve a 32 percent win clip at the meeting, will be attempting the mile distance for the first time on Friday.

She has been finishing strongly in her sprints, however, and her sire is among the most potent stamina influences in Washington breeding. Off her racing and pedigree credentials, Our Monstarr would seem a logical favorite with regular rider Juan Gutierrez in the irons at 116 pounds.

Our Monstarr should have a lively pace to target with confirmed front-runners Ms. Tahoe Ridge and Dysfunctional Lady in the field. Ms. Tahoe Ridge led throughout to down $6,250 maidens by over eight lengths two races back, then just failed to last 6 1/2 furlongs after showing the way in $7,500 company in her last start on May 31.

Ms. Tahoe Ridge, a daughter of Tahoe City from the barn of trainer Steve Bullock, is the only member of Friday's field with route experience. She got her experience without a rider, however, as she stumbled at the start to unseat her jockey in last year's Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at a mile.

Dysfunctional Lady also graduated with a wire-to-wire win over $6,250 company two races back, then dueled for the lead before tiring to finish eighth in her most recent start, against $15,000 company at six furlongs on May 21.