Waverly Girl pursues third in row

AUBURN, Wash. - Waverly Girl will shoot for her third straight win in Friday's top offering at Emerald Downs, a six-furlong race for older fillies and mares eligible to be claimed for $20,000 to $18,000.

Waverly Girl, a 4-year-old daughter of Smokester from the barn of trainer Dan Kenney, topped off a five-race Turf Paradise campaign with a front-running victory over $12,500 rivals in a 4 1/2-furlong turf race on April 1. Switched to the dirt to take on $15,000 foes at six furlongs at Emerald April 24, Waverly Girl again went to the front and held steady for a 3 3/4-length victory in 1:10.80. Though she steps up again on Friday, she has the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in the field, a 73, and seems likely to be favored to extend her winning streak.

Waverly Girl figures to be challenged early by at least two rivals, Dashing Lady and Breakin My Heart. Dashing Lady, a 5-year-old trained by George Colello Sr., posted three front-running victories from eight starts at last year's meet, all against $12,500 company. All six of her career wins have come at Emerald.

Breakin My Heart, a 4-year-old trained by Robbie Baze, was stakes placed last fall at Portland Meadows. She missed by just a head to Quiz the Maid in the six-furlong Diane Kem Handicap on Oct. 23, then returned to run third to Quiz the Maid in a six-furlong overnight handicap on Nov. 13 before taking the winter off.