Potrero Station looks to regain form

AUBURN, Wash. - Potrero Station, a stakes winner last year at Hastings Park, looms as the one to beat in Sunday's featured seventh race at Emerald Downs, a 5 1/2-furlong $25,000 optional claiming event that has lured a field of seven older horses.

Potrero Station, a 4-year-old son of Cape Town from the barn of trainer Janet Armstrong, was claimed by Sid Belzberg's Budget Stable for $32,000 in April 2006 at Golden Gate Fields. In his first start for his new connections, Potrero Station scored a one-length victory in the 6 1/2-furlong Klondike Stakes at Hastings on May 6, defeating nine rivals in 1:18.20. Potrero Station failed to win again in four subsequent outings at Hastings, but he worked five furlongs here in a rapid 58.20 on April 19 and may be ready to regain his best form.

Potrero Station, who typically runs on or very close to the lead, could be joined by pace types Idabetabuck and Chickasaw Park in the early going. If any combination of those three horses produces a fast and contested pace, the door might swing open for Best Game in Town to make a late impact.

Best Game in Town, a stretch-running 6-year-old who is trained by Bonnie Jennie, was winless in seven starts at last year's Emerald meeting. He posted three seconds and a third in four early season sprint tries, however, and all four of those races were run under $25,000 optional claiming conditions. Despite his lack of early foot, Best Game in Town has relished the 5 1/2-furlong distance in the past. In 5 tries at the trip, Best Game in Town has recorded 3 wins and 2 seconds.