Morgan's Money one to beat

AUBURN, Wash. - Morgan's Money will attempt to get back on the winning track in Friday's feature, a $17,500 claiming affair for 3-year-olds and up that has attracted a field of seven to go 6 1/2 furlongs.

Morgan's Money, a 4-year-old son of Skimming trained by Robbie Baze, began the meet with three straight sprint wins, then missed by only three-quarters of a length when he jumped up to a $17,500 claimer at six furlongs on June 14. Two of his three subsequent starts were at a mile, a distance that is apparently beyond his range. In his other recent outing, on July 13, Morgan's Money finished a distant third to runaway winner Olympic Lights in a $17,500 claiming affair at six furlongs, but he was beaten only three-quarters of a length for second. Morgan's Money seems a snug fit both on the $17,500 level and at the 6 1/2-furlong distance, and his tactical speed should allow rider Gallyn Mitchell to work out a favorable trip.

Another who should benefit from a cutback in distance on Friday is Afleet Pete, who was claimed out of a winning effort for $17,500 on June 14, when he went six furlongs in 1:09. New trainer Tim McCanna bumped him up to the $25,000 level while stretching him out to a mile in his most recent outing, on June 29, but he never entered contention en route to a sixth-place finish. Afleet Pete has since logged three workouts, including a five-furlong move in 1:00.60 on Aug. 1, and he could be ready to regain his best form.