Plenty of speed to set up late runners

AUBURN, Wash. - Livinonlovanadime appears to be nicely spotted to return to the winner's circle in Saturday's feature, a one-mile race for $32,000 to $40,000 claimers that has drawn a field of eight older horses.

Livinonlovanadime, a 5-year-old son of Devil's Bag from the barn of trainer Jim Penney, won the Tacoma Handicap at the same one-mile distance here as a 3-year-old. He raced only once last year before being sidelined with an injury, but he has returned this season to finish fourth and third in a pair of optional $40,000 claiming events at 5 1/2 and six furlongs. Livinonlovanadime, who races for the partnership of Mike and Amy Feuerborn, John and Janene Maryanski, and Mike Gastineau, is stretching out to his preferred distance and should prove difficult to hold off through the final furlong. Apprentice Matt Hagerty will ride at 113 pounds.

Livinonlovanadime will race coupled in the wagering with the Blaine Wright-trained Adevilgetshisdue, who is also owned in part by the Maryanskis. Though both horses in the entry are stretch-runners, neither should lack for an adequate pace to target. Of the remaining half-dozen in the field, five - Zillah's Knight, Robbos Courage, Diligent Prospect, Brave Hearted and Random Memo - do their best running from on or very close to the pace.

The sixth horse, Coastal King, also runs best from off the pace and could offer the sternest opposition to the entry.