'Ruby' has shot to turn tables

AUBURN, Wash. - Lady Buccaneer and Ruby Montani, who finished second and third while racing for higher tags on Aug. 2, are rematched in Friday's one-mile feature at Emerald Downs. The race has drawn six 3-year-old fillies, each eligible to be claimed for $16,000.

Lady Buccaneer and Ruby Montani ran in a $25,000 to $20,000 claiming race at a mile in their Aug. 2 meeting, when Lady Buccaneer was beaten a neck by Bubble Girl after leading to the final strides. Ruby Montani finished another length back, but there are at reasons to believe that she can reverse the outcome on Friday.

Ruby Montani, trained by Jim Penney, stumbled at the start of the Aug. 2 race, then was forced five lanes wide into the stretch. Also, Ruby Montani had been off for 33 days before that race and may have needed the tune-up. She came back and worked a sharp half-mile in 48.60 seconds last Sunday and should be ready for a peak effort with Ben Russell in the irons at 117 pounds.

Two other possibilities are Sultry Sexy Susie and Ceetune.

Sultry Sexy Susie will be making her local debut for trainer Steve Bullock after winning a $12,500 starter allowance turf race over a mile at Bay Meadows on June 13.

Ceetune, who was claimed by owner Paul Schumann and trainer Joe Toye out of a win for a $6,250 tag on July 14, came back July 26 and easily defeated $20,000 claimers at mile. Ceetune's connections were so impressed with the effort that they nominated her for Sunday's $100,000 Washington Oaks.

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