Neissa looks to step up in Washington Cup Juvenile Filly

Two-year-olds will be in the spotlight in $50,000 divisions of the Washington Cup Juvenile, with probable favorite Neissa the one to beat in the fillies division on Sunday at Emerald Downs. The daughter of Gold Rush Dancer, trained by Candice Cryderman, most recently set the early pace before finishing third, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, by division leader Appeal Factor in the WTBOA Lassies Stakes on Aug. 6.

As a Kentucky-bred, Appeal Factor is not eligible for the Washington Cup and that gives others a better chance at some stakes credentials. Partly for that reason, the fillies division drew a field of 10.

Neissa debuted July 9 in the Angie C. Stakes in which she was bumped soundly at the start before racing fairly evenly and finishing sixth, beaten 8 1/4 lengths by Appeal Factor. In her next start on July 29, Neissa led comfortably all the way against maidens and finished 4 3/4 lengths to the good of runner-up Shelby Shortstop. The Beyer Speed Figure of 48 was the highest earned by a juvenile filly at the stand.

“She is happy and fresh, and we look to improve on Sunday,” Cryderman said.

A morning workout on Aug. 19 saw Neissa go three furlongs in 39.60 seconds, which is quite moderate over the Emerald Downs surface. Cryderman explained that the “work was slow by design, just to give her some air.”

There have been just seven maiden races for 2-year-old fillies run at Emerald Downs in 2023 through last weekend, and five of the winners are entered in the Washington Cup Juvenile Fillies. The only other maiden-special winner in the fillies division is She’s a Kraken, who won at first asking July 15, earning a 37 Beyer. She’s a Kraken then forced the pace and weakened to be sixth, beaten 14 lengths by Appeal Factor, in the WTBOA Lassies Stakes.

She’s a Kraken is trained by Kay Cooper. The filly hopped and was bumped at the start in her first stakes attempt and should go better Sunday.

The three other maiden winners in the field include Parker’s Fifteen, claimed two starts back by Jose Navarro, and a pair of debut winners trained by Rosie Simkins – Lutes Sea Gypsy and Betty Lute.

The Washington Cup Juvenile Colts and Geldings drew a small cast of six led by recent maiden winner Chancellors Boom, trained by Vince Gibson. The son of Harbor the Gold was a comfortable 7 1/4-length winner last Saturday, earning a 52 Beyer in the process.

Chancellors Boom will face maiden-claiming winners Rimrock Lake (32 Beyer) and Beer Begone (20 Beyer).

Knightline, a maiden, has been installed as 7-5 morning-line favorite on the basis of two strong runner-up finishes in maiden-special company. Knightline comes from the barn of Howard Gibson.

Rounding out the field of six are debuting Where You Gonna Go and Allante, who was third last week in the race won by Chancellors Boom.

Sunday’s 10-race card gets under way at 2 p.m. Pacific.