As usual, Klokstad one to beat

AUBURN, Wash. - Nine 2-year-old fillies will get their first taste of stakes competition in Saturday's $35,000 Angie C. Stakes at six furlongs, and it is no surprise that trainer Bud Klokstad will be strongly represented.

Klokstad, who has won more stakes races and more 2-year-old races at Emerald Downs than any other trainer, will saddle the powerful entry of Aunt Tizzy and Genoa Cat, both winners of their career debuts in May.

Aunt Tizzy won the meet's first maiden special weight event for juvenile fillies on May 10, defeating Melba Jewel by a neck with Sala De Oro another length back in third. Sala De Oro confirmed the quality of that race by returning to defeat maiden special weight foes by six lengths in her next start, and so did fourth-place finisher Peeps, who returned to register the fastest five-furlong clocking at the meeting for a juvenile when she graduated in 57.60 in her next start, against $25,000 maidens.

Genoa Cat adds strength to the Klokstad-trained entry, as she defeated $25,000 maidens in her only start on May 17 going 4 1/2 furlongs in 52 seconds, equaling Aunt Tizzy's clocking in her maiden win.

Melba Jewel, who has not raced since finishing second to Aunt Tizzy, and Sala De Oro may pose the most potent threats to the favored entry on Saturday.

Also dangerous is Sariano, who won her June 21 debut in a maiden special weight despite breaking at least a dozen lengths behind her field. Sariano, a daughter of Rubiano from the barn of trainer Steve Bullock, produced a remarkable run around the turn and down the lane to win by two lengths after going 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.40.