Would anybody dare claim an exceptionally accomplished 8-year-old gelding for $50,000? We could find out Sunday as Wasserman is among eight horses entered in a $20,000 optional claiming race at six furlongs.

The 2008 Longacres Mile winner has finished fifth and eighth in two starts this season, the latter coming in last Sunday’s Seattle Handicap won by the brilliant Noosa Beach (six furlongs in a record-tying 1 minute, 7 seconds). Wasserman has earned $499,312 at Emerald Downs and needs $3,973 to surpass Captain Condo’s record for earnings accrued at Washington racetracks.

A first or second-place finish Sunday would do the trick, but owner-trainer Howard Belvoir said he would observe Wasserman train the next few days before deciding whether to run.

The race, for non-winners of two races other than maiden, claiming or starter, or claiming price $50,000, has drawn an outstanding field including some potential Longacres Mile runners. It also could feature the top two active leading Washington-bred earners, Wasserman ($519,049) and Margo’s Gift (20-7-3-3-$325,982).

The field for Sunday’s ninth race: Song of Pirates, Ricky Frazier, 120 pounds; Siberian Cocktail, Seth Martinez, 120; (a) Davos, Inoel Beato, 120; He’s All Heart, Robert Burney, 124; Dixie Meister, Mario Gutierrez, 120; Wasserman, Jennifer Whitaker, 120; (a) Zagreus, Juan Gutierrez, 120; Margo’s Gift, Francisco Duran, 120. Coupled – Davos and Zagreus