Prolific winners look best

AUBURN, Wash. - Tuesday's featured eighth race has drawn a field of seven $16,000 to $14,000 claimers going a mile. Military Force and Sunshine Scholar lead the field in wins, with nine and eight, respectively, and they may well attract most of the betting.

Emerald Downs will stage its annual fireworks spectacular, which is one of the track's most popular events, following the races on Tuesday.

First post is 5 p.m. The ninth and final race is scheduled to be run at 9:25, and the fireworks show will start at 10:15 and last until 10:35. Entertainment will be provided by The Beatniks in the track's park area preceding the fireworks.

Military Hawk, an 8-year-old son of Colonel Stevens from the barn of Sharon Ross, is coming off two strong efforts against better. He finished second to $20,000 claimers at a mile and third to $25,000 runners at 1 1/16 miles.

Sunshine Scholar, who won the Playfair Mile last winter, is also coming off a decent effort at the $25,000 level. A 6-year-old Conquistador Cielo gelding, Sunshine Scholar helped to set the pace in that 6 1/2-furlong sprint in what appeared to be a useful prep for Tuesday's race, which is at his best distance.

As both Military Hawk and Sunshine Scholar do their best running on the lead, Micro Nation can expect a legitimate pace to target. The stretch runner is coming off a sharp win under Tuesday's conditions on June 15, though that was a weaker field.