Our Game Plan looks obvious

AUBURN, Wash. - Our Game Plan and Miss Mariah, the two-three finishers in the open Angie C. Stakes on July 7, will head a field of 10 2-year-olds in Saturday's $45,000 filly division of the Northwest Stallion Stakes at Emerald Downs.

Our Game Plan and Miss Mariah finished well behind Calldara in the six-furlong Angie C., but Calldara is not eligible for Saturday's 6 1/2-furlong race, which is restricted to the progeny of stallions nominated back in 1999, the year of their conception. Only 16 stallions were nominated that year, but the list includes Game Plan, the sire of Our Game Plan, and Petersburg, the sire of Miss Mariah.

Our Game Plan was an impressive debut winner over $40,000 maiden company on June 30, and she did nothing to tarnish her reputation in the Angie C. Despite breaking a length slowly, Our Game Plan rushed up to duel for the lead and held all but Calldara safe in a highly creditable performance. Our Game Plan, a $16,000 yearling purchase who races for owner Ron Hersh, figures as a solid favorite under leading rider Kevin Radke at 118 pounds.

Though still a maiden, Miss Mariah poses a bold threat after placing in a pair of stakes. Miss Mariah, a full sister to $239,000 earner Miss Pixie, closed for third despite racing greenly in the five- furlong Pierce County Stakes on June 9, then again finished fast for third after racing very wide on the bend in the Angie C. With another sixteenth of a mile to work with on Saturday, she could be along in time under Hector Ventura Jr., who rides for trainer Howard Belvoir at 116 pounds.

for Emerald Downs entries.

Subscribers: to purchase past performances for Emerald Downs.

Non-subscribers: to purchase past performances for Emerald Downs.