Two rivals meet again in sprint

AUBURN, Wash. - Raging Lady and Foxwood Belle, the top two finishers in a 6 1/2-furlong race for $12,500 claimers here on Aug. 5, will be rematched at six furlongs on Thursday. The feature has drawn a field of seven fillies and mares for a $12,500 conditioned claiming race.

Raging Lady, a 4-year-old daughter of Artax from the barn of trainer Frank Lucarelli, came from seventh to prevail by a head over Foxwood Belle in 1:16.60 on Aug. 5. Foxwood Belle had come from fifth to hit the front at the furlong marker, but she could not hold off the determined bid of her rival. It was the first win at the meeting for Raging Lady, who was coming off a pair of seconds against $7,500 company.

Two factors are in Foxwood Belle's favor on Thursday. Foxwood Belle, a 5-year-old Jazzing Around mare trained by Sharon Ross, should benefit from the cut-back in distance to six furlongs. She will also benefit from a shift in the weights, as Raging Lady picks up four pounds to 123 while Foxwood Belle will remain at 119.

Both of the likely favorites face a new challenger in Queen Sarabi, who drops sharply while returning from a layoff. Queen Sarabi, a

5-year-old daughter of Roar and multiple stakes winner Soft Copy, raced four times for trainer Bill Tollett at Sunland Park early this year, twice finishing third against allowance rivals. She has not raced since March 10, but boasts a strong work tab for her return and will be teamed with the track's leading rider, Ricky Frazier, at 119 pounds.