Mullens filly takes class drop

AUBURN, Wash. - Have'n a Lark will flee stakes company to head a field of eight 3-year-old fillies, each eligible to be claimed for $18,000 to $20,000, in Friday's one-mile feature at Emerald Downs.

Have'n a Lark, a daughter of Delineator from the barn of trainer Pat Mullens, ran a very creditable third in last year's one-mile Barbara Shinpoch Stakes here, but she was unable to enter contention in two stakes tries this year. She ran eighth of nine in the 6 1/2-furlong Federal Way Handicap on May 15, then came back to finish last of six in the one-mile Irish Day Handicap on June 12.

Before her most recent stakes tries, Have'n a Lark defeated allowance foes with 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.80 on April 30, and she should appreciate the return to overnight company on Friday.

Yourgoldgirl poses the most serious threat to Have'n a Lark, who seems likely to be favored. Yourgoldgirl, trained by Rolland Fergason, proved her affinity for route racing last spring at Portland Meadows, running second in the Mary Goldblatt and the Mt. St. Helens, both at a mile, and finishing third in the nine-furlong Oregon Oaks. She defeated $30,000 maidens going six furlongs in her local debut on May 7, then finished a closing fourth against allowance rivals going six furlongs in her last start on June 12.

Also dangerous is Flylikeadove, trained by Terry Gillihan. She responded to her first taste of two-turn racing with a 7 1/4-length victory over $12,500 maidens on June 3, going a mile in 1:38.60.