Sunningdale drops after stakes try

AUBURN, Wash. Sunningdale will head an intriguing field of seven 3-year-old fillies, each eligible to be claimed for $30,000, in Fridays six-furlong feature at Emerald Downs.

Sunningdale, a muscular daughter of Vying Victor from the barn of trainer Terry Gillihan, is dropping in class off a fifth-place finish in the six-furlong U. S. Bank Stakes. Sunningdale seemed to be in contention for a placing in the stakes, but she was bumped off stride at the furlong marker and lost her action. In her only prior start, Sunningdale defeated maiden special weight company at five furlongs last July 7. Gary Baze will have the mount on Sunningdale, who breaks from the outside post under 117 pounds.

Among Sunningdales most interesting challengers are Danas Beau, who is returning to Emerald after racing twice at Santa Anita last fall, and Hastings shipper Kalua on the Rocks.

Danas Beau won her career debut here last May, then came back to run fifth to Smarty Deb in the Angie G. Stakes before shipping to Santa Anita, where she ran eighth and sixth in two starts over that tracks synthetic surface. Danas Beau has worked steadily and well for her 3-year-old debut on Friday. She will be ridden by Ricky Frazier at 117 pounds.

Kalua on the Rocks won 1 of 4 starts as a 2-year-old at Hastings last year. She made her season debut at Hastings on April 26, finishing a close third to $25,000 claimers at six furlongs.