Wright has solid pair for Emerald Express, Angie C. stakes

The all-stakes 50-cent pick four at Emerald Downs on Sunday begins in race 5 with the Emerald Express. Like all of the races in the sequence, there are no standouts in the 5 1/2-furlong dash that drew a field of seven 2-year-old colts and geldings.

The Express is followed by the Angie C. for 2-year-old fillies, the Boeing for fillies and mares, and the Mt. Rainier for 3-year-olds and up. Each race is worth $50,000.

Leading trainer Blaine Wright has a good chance in the 2-year-old races with Vicente’s Shadow in the Express and Bella Mia in the 5 1/2-furlong Angie C., which drew nine.

The 43 Beyer Speed Figure that Vicente’s Shadow received for his winning debut in a maiden special weight race June 18 isn’t anything to get excited about. However, the manner in which he won the 4 1/2-furlong dash was impressive.

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Breaking from post 3 with Eswan Flores aboard, he had to check sharply soon after the start. It looked like he was out of the race until he moved into the clear in midstretch. He then closed like a rocket to win going away.

“It was fun to watch,” Wright said. “Once he found some daylight, he really took off. I don’t know how tough of a field he was beating though. Like all of the horses in Sunday’s race, he will have to move forward to be in contention. It seems like he has, but we won’t know until he runs.”

Vicente’s Shadow drew post 6, with Flores retaining the mount.

Sippin Fire has the pedigree to be a good horse and showed a lot of potential in his debut, gamely defeating Brown Tiger in a maiden special weight race going five furlongs July 2. Trained by Steve Bullock, the son of Harbor the Gold is a full brother to Gottstein Futurity winners Couldabenthewhisky and Del Rio Harbor. Sippin Fire will break from post 5 with Javier Matias aboard.

Trained by Jonathan Nance, Brown Tiger was game in defeat, and as the first foal out of the $174,907 stakes winner Sweet Nellie Brown, he has a right to move forward enough to win this.

Bella Mia in Angie C.

Bella Mia had a rough trip when she finished fourth in her debut but romped by 5 1/4 lengths over Faith Flys Again in her second start going five furlongs in a maiden special weight race July 1.

“She was trapped on the inside in her first start, but she really put it to them last time,” Wright said.

Bella Mia will break from post 5, with Julien Couton riding.

Shipping in from Hastings is My Aunt Mo, who was highly regarded going into her debut. She didn’t disappoint, winning a 3 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race June 10. The 61 Beyer earned by the daughter of Uncle Mo is the best in this field.

My Aunt Mo is owned by Glen Todd, who recently renewed his trainer’s license after a 32-year hiatus. Todd is off to a good start in his comeback and has an excellent record with 2-year-olds, winning with three of his five first-time starters.

Amadeo Perez, who won the Grade 3 Longacres Mile aboard Herbie D in 2013, will ride My Aunt Mo from post 3. Michael Puhich will be the trainer of record.

The Chris Stenslie-trained Philly Baby was an impressive debut winner but will have to hustle from the inside post.