Shippers starting to arrive

AUBURN, Wash. - Northern California stakes winner Adreamisborn led the charge of invaders for Sunday's Grade 3, $250,000 Longacres Mile, arriving at Emerald Downs late Wednesday afternoon following a flight from the Bay Area.

Adreamisborn, a Jerry Hollendorfer-trained 5-year-old, was accompanied by stablemates Uninhibited Song, who will contest Saturday's $100,000 Washington Breeders' Cup Oaks, and Hippogator, who will go in Sunday's $100,000 Emerald Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Both Adreamisborn, who won the 1 1/16-mile Alamedan Handicap at Pleasanton in his last start on July 11, and Hippogator will be ridden by Russell Baze.

Adreamisborn was expected to be followed to Emerald by the Southern California-based trio of Royal Place, American Fury, and Verkade, who boarded a plane in Los Angeles on Thursday morning and were scheduled to arrive at Sea-Tac International Airport at 4:20 p.m. The Doug O'Neill-trained Jake Slate did not board that flight because his 110-pound weight assignment did not assure him a spot in the starting gate.

Alberta invader Deputy Country was also slated to arrive on Thursday, and British Columbia shippers Metatron and Gratitude Attack were scheduled to van in on Friday.

The seven out-of-state runners will be joined by five locally based horses: Poker Brad, Salt Grinder, Demon Warlock, Mr. Makah, and Best on Tap.