Sprint lures 'Elana,' Ema Bovary

AUBURN, Wash. - An international match-up will take place at Emerald Downs on Sunday when Canadian star Elana d'Amour takes on Chilean-born Ema Bovary and three others in the Washington State Legislators Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Elana d'Amour will tote highweight of 123 pounds, one pound more than Ema Bovary, on the strength of her record of seven wins, including six stakes victories, from 13 starts, all at Hastings Park.

Elana d'Amour, a 4-year-old daughter of Vying Victor from the barn of Brian Giesbrecht, won five stakes last year en route to British Columbia-bred 3-year-old filly of the year honors. She picked up where she left off in her only start this year, winning the 6 1/2-furlong Strawberry Morn Stakes May 11 by two lengths. Sam Krasner, who was up for that win, will journey to Emerald to ride her.

Ema Bovary wowed local fans in her Emerald debut on May 4, winning the 6 1/2-furlong Hastings Park Handicap by more than two lengths in 1:14.40 despite breaking three lengths behind the rest of her field. Before that, the 4-year-old Ema Bovary defeated Lacie Girl by a nose in the six-furlong Soviet Problem Handicap at Golden Gate in March.

She won 3 of 7 in Chile before being purchased privately by owners Rick Beal and Lana Ramsey and imported to the U.S., where she has two wins from three tries for trainers Larry and Sharon Ross. Roberto Gonzalez will arrive from northern California to ride.

Rounding out the field are Clever Coed, R C Gangster, and Princess Forever, who is the probable pacesetter.