$50,000 Seattle Handicap draws 13 nominations | Emerald Downs

May 24, 2015 5:55 pm

The $50,000 Seattle Handicap for 3-year-old fillies drew 13 nominations including stakes winners Ethan’s Baby, Hip Ninety Three, Pippa Bou Beep and S U M Racer.

At 6 ½ furlongs, the Seattle Handicap is the first stop for sophomore fillies en route to theAugust 9 Washington Oaks, and the lone sprint of the four-race series.

Ethan’s Baby, the track’s best 2-year-old filly of 2014, returns to Emerald Downs after a short stint in California, where she finished sixth in the Ultrafleet Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course. The Washington-bred by Offlee Wild led through a half-mile in :43.79, before tiring in the race won by Avenge.

Suva Harbor, fourth in the Ultrafleet, also is nominated to the Seattle by top California trainer John Sadler.

Turf Paradise shippers have fared well this year, and trainer F.C. Frazier appears to have a pair of bullets for the Seattle: S U M Racer and Hip Ninety Three—first and third in the Arizona Oaks—already have two works each at Emerald Downs and add depth to the sophomore filly division.

Pippa Bou Peep and Seeking the Light appear ready for stakes action after good recent efforts in allowance and top echelon claiming races. The former defeated the latter in last year’s Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs.

Belle Hill is a $250,000 Sky Mesa filly that earned a 74 Beyer while dominating a good field of maiden special weights at Golden Gate Fields. A recent five-furlong bullet drill suggests a smooth transition from the Tapeta surface to dirt.

$50,000 Seattle Handicap, Sunday, May 31

3-Year-Old Fillies, 6 ½ Furlongs

Horse. . . . . . . .Owner. . . . . . . .Trainer

Belle Hill (3-KY) Aithon Stable LLC Larry Ross

Deb’s Wildcard (3-CAL) Robert Jones & Lloyd Mason Charles Essex

Doctor Susan (3-KY) R.E.V. Racing LLC Frank Lucarelli

Ethan’s Baby (3-WA) Todd & Shawn Hansen Howard Belvoir

Haleys Rainbow (3-ILL) Brushy Hill, Dedomenico, Polliva Equine Mike Puhich

Hip Ninety Three (3-KY) Linden Hatch & Brent Stapley F.C. Frazier

Our Silver Lining (3-WA) Big Bill & Company Jose Navarro

Perhaps a Pie (3-FLA) One Horse Will Do, Brewer & Stenslie Chris Stenslie

Pippa Bou Peep (3-WA) Essex & Dave & The Little Lady Stable Charles Essex