Our Monstarr has class advantage

AUBURN, Wash. - Two-year-olds take center stage on Friday, when they compete in five of the nine races, including the featured eighth race.

The feature matches six fillies, each eligible to be claimed for $25,000, at six furlongs.

Our Monstarr is dropping out of stakes competition and is the one to beat off her class advantage. Our Monstarr, a daughter of Demons Begone from the barn of trainer Dave Bennett, won her debut against $16,000 maidens in May and then registered two creditable efforts in stakes. She was fourth of nine in the open Angie C Stakes at six furlongs, then ran third in the restricted Knights Choice Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs when last seen on Aug. 2. Sandi Gann retains the mount at 115 pounds.

Genoa Cat poses a serious threat, as she comes off a win at the $25,000 claiming level at 5 1/2 furlongs. Genoa Cat, who is trained by Bud Klokstad, ran down Dream Weaver to prevail by a half-length in 1:04.60 for her second win in three starts.

Dream Weaver will be back to try again on Friday and figures to be a pace factor along with Not Yet a Lady and Kaili's a Princess, who also have good early speed.

Rounding out the field is Aknightinbrooklyn, who could be the value play. Aknightinbrooklyn is coming off a closing second to Cahilina in a five-furlong race for $16,000 claimers on Aug. 3. She was beaten less than two lengths in 57.40. That clocking equaled the fastest five furlong time ever run by a 2-year-old at Emerald Downs, which is now in its eighth year of operation.