Oh Molly shoots for repeat win

AUBURN, Wash. - Oh Molly, who regained her winning form in her most recent outing, will set out to make it two wins in a row when she takes on five other fillies and mares in Thursday's one-mile feature for $20,000-$18,000 claimers at Emerald Downs.

Oh Molly, a 7-year-old who races for Bob Wilson and Larry Stave, was the best of her division at Portland Meadows in 1999-2000, when she won four stakes and an allowance race in six starts at the meeting. She was off a year from February of 2000 to February of this year, but has gradually been working back into form through five starts in 2001, culminating in a one-length win over $16,000 company in a mile race May 19. Oh Molly ran the distance in 1:39.40 under Frank Gonsalves, who again has the call from trainer Debbie Van Horne at 118 pounds.

Four others in Thursday's field raced a mile on May 19. Jade Beauty, who was coming off a six-length win over $12,500 company, lost her rider at the start in the race won by Oh Molly.

Mikala's Starr, Young Country Star, and Slick Trick finished third, fifth, and sixth in a $25,000 claimer later on the card. Mikala's Starr closed strongly to be beaten two lengths in 1:38 flat, meaning that she ran the distance a second faster than Oh Molly. She was awarded a Beyer Speed Figure of 69, while Oh Molly received a 70, as the racing surface got progressively faster that day.

Girls Nite, a two-time winner at a mile who is coming off three sharp sprint efforts, will round out the highly competitive field of six.