'Road' looks tough right back

AUBURN, Wash. - Knightsbridge Road will concede from one to 11 pounds to nine rivals when he shoulders high weight of

121 pounds in Sunday's $40,000 Tacoma Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Emerald Downs.

Knightsbridge Road, a 3-year-old son of Cisco Road who races for WilWin Stable, earned his impost with a 5 1/2-length score over Leather N Lace in last month's Table Run Stakes at a mile. Knightsbridge Road engaged the favored Leather N Lace from the beginning and drew out late to score in 1:38.80 on a muddy track. The victory, his second in a stakes, improved Knightsbridge Road's record to 3 wins, 6 seconds, and 2 thirds from 12 starts.

Leading rider Kevin Radke, who was up for the Table Run victory, again has the call from trainer Debbie Van Horne.

Leather N Lace, who won the 6 1/2-furlong Pepsi Cola Handicap before finishing second in the Table Run, again figures to vie for the early advantage with Knightsbridge Road, and those two could be joined by fellow front-runners Mr. Elusive, Knight in Silver, and Tickled Purple.

If the pace gets too hectic, the race could set up for a strong finisher such as Condotierri, who won last season's Gottstein Futurity at 1 1/16 miles with a powerful stretch drive. Condotierri is coming off a pair of closing seconds in one-mile allowance races and should appreciate the additional sixteenth of a mile on Sunday.

Trainer Craig Roberts has given the call aboard Condotierri to regular rider Gallyn Mitchell, who will ride at 118 pounds.