Stryker Phd Aims for Second Longacres Mile

With two straight stakes wins at Emerald Downs, local star Stryker Phd appears poised to defend his title in the $200,000 Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) Aug. 16.

Last year, Jim and Mona Hour's Stryker Phd won the Budweiser and Mt. Ranier handicaps at Emerald, before securing the first graded stakes win of his career in the Longacres Mile. The 6-year-old Washington-bred Bertrando gelding enters Sunday's race off a six-length romp in this year's Mt. Ranier.

Trained by Larry Ross, Stryker Phd will be guided by Leslie Mawing, who leads the current meeting in earnings through Aug. 13. Stryker Phd, who finished second in the 2013 Longacres Mile, boasts six Emerald Downs stakes wins. As the 123-pound highweight, Stryker Phd will spot his 11 expected rivals one to eight pounds.

While Stryker Phd will carry local hopes, trainer Richard Baltas will ship in grade III winner Majestic City from Southern California. The 6-year-old City Zip   horse won this year's Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III) and will look to bounce back from a last of seven finish in the San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 25 at Del Mar.