Playfair Has Clear Shot At Fans After Emerald Cancels Its Card

Thu., Jan. 9, 1997

By Dan Weaver danwe@spokesman.com

Inland Northwest horsemen will have the state’s off-track betting markets to themselves Friday when racing resumes at Playfair Race Course.

That’s the positive spin on another cancellation announced Wednesday at Emerald Downs. Friday’s card at the Auburn track was called off because of insufficient entries, Playfair publicist Tom Harris said.

If there’s a negative, it’s that horse-players will have only the seven-race Playfair program to bet on, not the 16 events from two tracks they had last weekend when the state’s first experiment with dual-card simulcasting began. Racing starts at 1 p.m.

Emerald Downs has canceled four of six scheduled Friday programs since its winter meet began Dec. 6. Racing at the West Side track and statewide dual-carding will resume on Saturday.

A number of fit horses who started last week have been entered right back Friday at Playfair. Finnish Royalty and Royal Amewsment, second and third in a photo behind Sir Tiger K., will renew their rivalry in the first race, a 4-furlong dash that also includes Somethings Burning, B.D. Cube, Andiamo Guy and Gray Guy. Andiamo Guy was a disappointment last week but gets off the rail this time for his second start after a long layoff for owner-trainer Mike Thompson.

The first stakes race of the season, the $10,000-added City of Spokane Handicap at the Playfair Course distance of about 6-1/2 furlongs, will highlight Saturday’s racing.

Jockey Vince Ward will come out of a brief retirement to pilot Logan Drive in that race. Former Playfair sprint champion Che Meza will carry top weight of 124 pounds.

Another accomplished veteran rider, Brian Eide, who swung into action last Sunday, has accepted mounts in six of Friday’s seven races.

, DataTimes

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Playfair Has Clear Shot At Fans After Emerald Cancels Its Card

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