Two drop into a better spot at Emerald

AUBURN, Wash. - Edaciously and Rescue Plan, both stakes-placed in 2009, headline the feature race Friday at Emerald Downs. A $25,000 claimer for 3-year-olds at six furlongs, the feature is the sixth of seven races on a program that begins at 6 p.m. Pacific.

Edaciously finished second, beaten eight lengths, in the restricted Dennis Dodge Stakes in his final start last summer. Prior to that, the Charles Essex-trained colt won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race by a neck over Warrior Jon, one of his rivals Friday. In his 2010 debut April 25, Edaciously was a soundly beaten fourth behind the well-regarded Boundtogetbusy in a first-level allowance race. Troy Stillwell has the riding assignment on Edaciously, who will break from post 7 in the field of eight.

Rescue Plan, who drew the outside gate, has raced twice at the meeting. He finished third, three lengths behind the unbeaten Forener, in a $40,000 optional claimer April 17, and then was third, nearly eight lengths behind Boundtogetbusy, in start No. 2. Trained by Roy Lumm, Rescue Plan earned his stakes placing in the six-furlong Premio Esmeralda last August, staying on well to be second behind three-time stakes winner Hollywood Harbor. Apprentice Pedro Terrero has been named to ride.

Warrior Jon has been first, second, or third in each of his five Emerald Downs starts. Unplaced in two starts at Golden Gate this winter, he returned from a three-month layoff to win a $25,000 claimer at Emerald Downs on April 11. In a race with no obvious front-runner, he could vie with Rescue Plan for pace supremacy. Inoel Beato has the riding assignment for trainer Frank Lucarelli.

Fisher Creek figures to attract interest in the betting. He won his racing debut by five lengths over Edaciously last July, and was second behind Warrior Jon in his first start this year. Defending Emerald riding champion Ricky Frazier has the call for defending training champion Tim McCanna.

Ricky Ricky, who notched his second career victory in a $12,500 claimer May 1, appears to have an outside chance for trainer Debbie Van Horne.

The field also includes Fast Trade, who moves to the inside post position after making a wide run to finish fifth behind Warrior Jon in his last start; Swiss Exploit, stepping up several levels after winning for $7,500 seven weeks ago; and Castle Romeo, a romping winner against $12,500 maidens in his first start at the meeting.