Numbers give edge to Wright

Using straight math, trainer Blaine Wright has a 37.5 percent chance of winning the $50,000 Washington State Legislators on Saturday at Emerald Downs. Considering that two of the three horses he trains in the eight-horse field will vie for favoritism, the odds are significantly higher he will saddle the winner of the 6 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares.

First post Saturday is 5 p.m. Pacific.

Wright sends out multiple stakes winners Alliford Bay and Invested Prospect in the Washington State Legislators as well as Strip It Down, who is seeking her first stakes win.

Alliford Bay is going for the hat trick after dominating the first two stakes for fillies and mares at Hastings this year. With Rico Walcott riding, she came from a stalking position in her 3 1/2-length victory in the $50,000 Brighouse Belles and then cruised to a threelength front-running win in the $50,000 Vancouver Sun.

Both stakes were two-turn 6 1/2-furlong sprints. The 4-yearold Alliford Bay is just as adept running in one-turn sprints, having won the $50,000 Kent at Emerald and the $60,100 California Governor’s Cup Handicap at Sacramento last year.

Invested Prospect is coming off a front-running victory going six furlongs in the $50,000 Hastings Stakes on May 28 at Emerald. Strip It Down rallied from eighth to finish fourth in that race, beaten 4 3/4 lengths.

“All three have different running styles, so they shouldn’t get in the way of each other,” Wright said. “Invested Prospect is the quickest of the three, and Alliford Bay can stalk. She was facing mostly route horses in her last start at Hastings and just ended up on the lead. Strip It Down is a deep closer, and I have a sneaking suspicion she is going to run a huge race.”

Julien Couton picks up the mount on Alliford Bay, who will break from post 4.

Invested Prospect will break from post 5 with Kevin Orozco retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Alliford Bay, by City Zip Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-78

◗ She is on a roll right now, owns the best Beyer Speed Figures, and has enough speed to stay in touch with Invested Prospect.

Invested Prospect, by Abraaj Last 3 Beyers: 74-66-54

◗ She took a big step forward in her second start this year, and considering she won the only time she went this far, the added distance shouldn’t be an issue. Catch her if you can.

Citizen Kitty, by Proud Citizen Last 3 Beyers: 68-72-68

◗ Trained by Jeff Metz, she was the champion older filly or mare in Washington last year.

◗ She lost a lot of ground when she went six wide around the turn while finishing third behind Invested Prospect in the Hastings. She could be dangerous if she can avoid a similar trip. It also won’t hurt if her speedy stablemate B C Z Middleton breaks sharply from the rail and puts some early pressure on Invested Prospect.

No Talking Back, by Flatter Last 3 Beyers: 74-63-49

◗ Trained by Chris Stenslie, she will get tested for class after dramatically improving in her first two starts as a 4-year-old.