Double stakes winners Gadget Queen and Clair Annette headline a field of eight older fillies and mares in Sunday’s $50,000 King County Handicap on the Fourth of July at Emerald Downs.

Gadget Queen (29-8-9-3-$245,210) returned from a 4 ½-month layoff to defend her title in Memorial Day’s $50,000 Washington Legislators Handicap. She finished fifth, but was less than two lengths behind winner No Flies On Doodle.

Owned by John and Janene Maryanski of Auburn, Gadget Queen faced stiff competition last winter in California. In four races, she scored two allowance victories at Golden Gate and added fourth and fifth place finishes in stakes races at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita. The 6-year-old Washington-bred will carry the high-weight of 121 pounds and will be ridden by jockey Ricky Frazier. Emerald Downs’ leading rider with 47 wins, Frazier has ridden a record three winners in the King County, and was aboard Gadget Queen for both career stakes victories.

Trainer Blaine Wright expects Gadget Queen to sit and make a big late move Sunday.

“Last race I think she sat too close,” he said. “She has only one style of running and we can’t change that.”

Clair Annette (18-8-1-3-$118,883), at 120 pounds, poses a big threat as the 7-year-old Washington-bred and likely pacesetter looks to become the oldest horse to win the featured stakes. Owned and bred by Nina L. Egbert of Enumclaw and the 2008 Claimer of the Meet finished third in both the Hastings Handicap on May 2 at Emerald Downs and the Senate Appointee Stakes on June 12 at Hastings Park.

“Clair Annette is going to be tough to beat,” Wright said. “She is a quality mare.”

L.T.D. Stable’s Barbara’s Love showed improvement in her second start at Emerald Downs. The John Holmes-trainee closed nearly three lengths in the stretch and finished third behind No Flies On Doodle and Hallelujah Trail, whom Wright said would miss the remainder of the season. Barbara’s Love (25-6-3-5-$304,696) appears sharp following a bullet work June 24, cruising five furlongs in 58 1/5 seconds (1/15).

Four-year-olds are 10-for-14 in the King County, a trend Crocodile Tuff, Yonnie Creek, Perfect Finish or Eyes On the Prize would continue with a victory Sunday.

Private Fortune, who finished third in the Federal Way Handicap, could become the first 3-year-old to win the King County.

The field for the 15th running of the King County Handicap: Barbara’s Love, Gallyn Mitchell, 118 pounds; Crocodile Tuff, Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo, 113; Yonnie Creek, Pedro Terrero, 112; Gadget Queen, Frazier, 121; Private Fortune, Inoel Beato, 109; Perfect Finish, Jennifer Whitaker, 117; Eyes On the Prize, Francisco Duran, 116; Clair Annette, Kevin Krigger, 120.

FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR THIS SATURDAY

The annual Fireworks Spectacular, always one of the most popular events at Emerald Downs, follows Saturday’s races at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Special first post time is 5 p.m., with nine live races to be followed by one of the Northwest’s top fireworks displays. Emerald Downs’ Director of Marketing Adrian Buchan said a large crowd is expected Saturday, and is encouraged by weather forecasts that call for partly sunny skies and temperatures near 70 degrees. Fans are advised to arrive early to secure good seats for the extravaganza.

News and Notes

• Week 12 honors: Jockey-Ricky Frazier (7 wins); Trainer-Doris Harwood (6 wins); Owner-Cinbar Stables); Groom-David Alvarado (Martin Pimentel).

• Trainer Howard Belvoir said he nominated Assessment, Wasserman and Mulcahy in the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap on July 11. Both Assessment and Wasserman worked four furlongs Thursday morning, the former in 46 2/5 and the latter in 49 flat. Nominations close 5 p.m. Saturday for the Governor’s.

• Federal Way Handicap winner Feeling Fancy, who scratched from the Irish Day Handicap because of a foot abscess, breezed four furlongs Sunday in 47 4/5 (19/59).

• West Seattle Boy worked six furlongs on Sunday in 1:13 3/5. With 16 wins at Emerald Downs, the 11-year-old gelding needs one victory to break Market Master and Bob Stories’ all-time track record for wins.

• Shout out to former local-claimer Lilly Fa Pootz who continues to move up the class ladder. Lilly Fa Pootz captured an allowance race Sunday at Hollywood Park and has finished in the money in eight straight starts for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, including three victories.

• Trainers Frank Lucarelli and Vann Belvoir entered week 14 tied for first in the standings with 30 wins apiece. Owners Michael and Amy Feuerborn and Homestretch Farms, Inc. entered the week atop their respective standings together with nine wins.

• Good luck to Emerald Downs’ Vice President Jack Hodge, who in partnership with Oakcrest Farm co-owns Upperline, a 3-year-old filly entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Arlington Oaks Grade 3 at Arlington Park.

• Equine Art 2010 will be open during racing hours from July 8-11. The art show will be displayed on track level with all art available for purchase.