Sippin Fire stretches out to mile in Seattle Slew

Trainer Steve Bullock is hoping Sippin Fire can one-up his full brothers Couldabenthewhisky and Del Rio Harbor by winning the $50,000 Seattle Slew Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday. Couldabenthewhisky was the runner-up in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds in 2011, and Del Rio Harbor couldn’t get past his stablemate Noosito in the 2014 renewal. Both horses also finished second in the Emerald Downs Derby. Nine horses have been entered Sunday, with Sippin Fire the likely favorite.

The Seattle Slew is the final local prep for the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby on July 29.

Sippin Fire is coming off an impressive victory in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes on June 17 and has the pedigree to thrive going a middle distance. He also has the right running style for a race that should have a fast and contested pace.

With leading rider Rocco Bowen aboard, Sippin Fire stalked an honest pace before drawing off to win the 6 1/2-furlong Coca-Cola. Bullock pointed to Sippin Fire’s six-furlong work on June 29 as evidence that the horse is coming up to a big effort Sunday.

“We think he will be a better horse going long,” said Bullock. “We were hoping to stretch him out in the Gottstein last year, but he came up with a cracked shin. He’s 100 percent now, and when he worked six furlongs in 1:11 flat, he galloped out a strong mile in 1:40.”

Sippin Fire will break from post 7 under Bowen.

Trainer Howard Belvoir is looking for an improved performance from last year’s local 2-year-old champ, Elliott Bay, who finished sixth in the Coca-Cola and the $50,000 Auburn. He closed out his 2-year-old campaign with a win over Trump Itz going 1 1/16 miles in the $95,000 Gottstein Futurity.

“He had some trouble in both of his races this year,” said Belvoir. “He had a good work, though, and he’s ready to go.”

Belvoir was referring to Elliott Bay’s bullet five-furlong move in 57.60 seconds on June 28. The horse will break from post 5 under usual rider Jennifer Whitaker.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sippin Fire, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 74-64-71

◗ He is trending in the right direction, and the way he finished them off in the Coca-Cola suggests he won’t have any problem going a middle distance. The only negative is that he is picking up four pounds and is the co-highweight with Whatwasithinking at 124 pounds.

Trump Itz, by Coast Guard
Last 3 Beyers: 63-71-55

◗ He was the runner-up in his only route attempt in the Gottstein Futurity and looked good winning a first-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option for trainer Blaine Wright in his only start this year on June 9.

Freiburg, by Langfuhr
Last 3 Beyers: 66-65-65

◗ Trained by Jose Navarro, he is the speed of the speed and could be dangerous if he breaks sharply from his inside post.