Longacres Mile: First turn always crucial

Not too long ago, Noosa Beach was regarded as a one-trick pony, a sprinter who couldn't win an important race around two turns. Now, a couple of dominating route victories later, he'll start as one of the favorites in the Grade 3, $250,000 Longacres Mile on Sunday at Emerald Downs.

The leading Emerald-based contender in a full field of 12, Noosa Beach will try to repel challenges from Southern California invader Gallant Son, making his first local start since 2008, four horses from Hastings in Vancouver, B.C., four familiar rivals from the Emerald handicap ranks, and two horses jumping ambitiously from allowance company into the Northwest's only graded race.