Senoradiablo primed for Angie C.

The first 2-year-old stakes races at Emerald Downs this year are part of Sunday’s Mile Preview Day. Both the Angie C. and King County Express are worth $50,000 and will be contested at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Fillies are up first in the Angie C., which goes as race 6 on a 10-race card that begins at 2:10 p.m. Pacific.

Trainer Manny Ortiz is looking for a big effort from Senoradiablo. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Flat Out is coming off a runner-up finish in the $61,050 Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity on May 6.

She ran an interesting race in the Futurity. She broke on top but was eased back to last in the 4 1/2-furlongs dash. After settling early she made a huge move while going seven wide on the turn, but couldn’t catch the 4-5 favorite Call Waiting. In her debut she took them all the way in an allowance race that was restricted to horses eligible to the Futurity.

Ortiz is expecting an aggressive ride from leading rider Rocco Bowen on Sunday.

“She had a terrible trip in her last start,” he said. “She’s training great and should be a lot closer with Rocco riding.”

Ortiz rates Senoradiablo above Twirling Devon, who won a optional $30,000 maiden-claiming race May 6 at Turf Paradise in her only start, and also runs for Ortiz in the Angie C. Twirling Devon will break from post 4 with Kevin Orozco in the irons.

Aikman Juliet, trained by Paul Treasure, will take a lot of support due to her easy front-running win first time out in a maiden special weight race at Emerald on June 16.

Baja Sur looks like the one to beat in the King County Express.

Trained by Blaine Wright, the Washington-bred son of Smiling Tiger earned a 60 Beyer Speed Figure for his 5 1/4-length front-running win in a maiden special weight race June 17. The highest figure among his six opponents that have started is the 41 Sky Confidential received for his third-place finish in a maiden special weight race on June 27.

Baja Sur will break from the rail with Erick Lopez riding.

Trainer Mike Puhich and owner Mike Waters are hoping for good things from first-time starter Jack Van Berg. Puhich and Waters were good friends of the late Hall of Fame trainer for whom the Kentucky-bred son of To Honor and Serve is named.

“When Jack gave us permission to use his name he said the horse was good looking enough to be named after him,” Puhich said. “He can run a bit.”

◗ Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone will be at Emerald Sunday to sign autographs and serve as an honorary steward for the $50,000 Mt. Rainier.