Three come off last-out victories

AUBURN, Wash. - Three recent winners and four class-droppers will vie at Emerald Downs in Thursday's intriguing feature, a six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies eligible to be claimed for $12,500.

Siyan Starships and Venture Afleet seem certain to be well supported, as both are coming off sharp wins on the $10,000 level. The two fillies have met twice before, as Siyan Starships ran third to Venture Afleet's second in a six-furlong event on June 28, then defeated her rival in a 5 1/2-furlong affair on July 8. Siyan Starships, a daughter of Siyah Kalem from the barn of Bill Beamer, came from off the pace to score by more than two lengths in a brisk 1:04.60 that day, while Venture Afleet finished 3 1/2 lengths farther back in fourth.

Venture Afleet, a Frank Lucarelli-trained daughter of Adventure Road, returned on July 20 to post a 1 3/4-length score after six furlongs in 1:11.20. Though Venture Afleet and Siyan Starships are stepping up a level in class on Thursday, their convincing recent wins would seem to justify the move.

The third last-out winner in Thursday's field is Miss J Lightning, who ran off and hid from a group of $8,000 maidens on July 26, when she got six furlongs in 1:11.20. She meets other speed, but may be able to survive a duel for the lead from the advantageous outside post.

Tough Copper Queen, Primadonna Poppy, First Star I See, and Expressive One will all be taking significant class drops, with Tough Copper Queen stepping down the farthest.