Race 1: The Thursday evening card begins with an interesting MC $25k, where half of the field is making the cliché “drop from MSW to Maiden Claiming” move. #3 Alotmoreaction is the aptly named full sister to Washington 3 year old Filly of the Year Alittlelesstalk, and has some big shoes to fill to live up to her sibling. Trainer Roddina Barrett has been pretty cool this meet so far, but this horse is well meant, and the rider change to Gutierrez, coupled with the drop from MSW, could be what she needs to win. The ML favorite #5 You Go Girl has done everything but win, facing stakes company as a 2 y/o, and then burning money this year at 3. The connections finally toss her down for a tag, and look poised for a long awaited win if she runs back to her previous figures at this distance. #2 Zeelula is a first time starter, out of a dam who produced winners so far. Worked well over the track and could surprise.
Race 2: 3 year olds go in this N2L, and #5 Vroysky looks on paper to be the one setting the pace, as he returns from an attempt against stakes company, where he took a decent amount of attention at the windows. He faded after attending a heated front end battle, and with his speed could benefit from the slight cutback to 6 furlongs. #2 Always Working had traffic trouble in his debut for trainer Rosales, who has good numbers with horses 2nd time out for him. ITM in 3 of 5 starts this year at Emerald. #3 Wilson to Lockett never takes much money for having such a cool name, but gets some class relief after running 4th in a Stake last out.
Race 3: These 2 year old fillies are looking to graduate, and #7 Ximena’s Honor has the most experience of the field, with three races. She improved figures each time out, and returns to the same level where she was competitive at before. Gets blinkers that could put some early speed into a horse that has never shown much interest in being involved. #8 Jacomina finished slightly behind our top pick last out in her second career race, improving from her debut. Wright gives her Lasix for the first time today, which could put her in contention. The like favorite, #2 Miss Valor is dropping down from a level higher, where she was wide in a pace battle around the turn. Has the highest last out fig and gets the blinkers, a positive move for Wright.
Race 4: It’s really hard to look past the figures of #5 Brett, and the ML reflects that. Steadily dropping down the ladder, the connections are presumably looking for a somewhat easy win, although he is subject to not pass horses, having 5 ITM finishes in 8 starts, but no win. Looks well spotted today against this field. #1 Alesund returned this year and didn’t do much running early, but put in an effort late, making me think she might like the extra half furlong. Probably needed that race from a fitness standpoint, drops a level, and with only 2 races, might have more upside than some of the known quantities. #4 Dropyourbuffs started his career with a lot of promise, but has yet to get over the hump in 6 outings. Drops to the lowest level he’s seen today, and if he can run back to his races at 2, should be considered.
Race 5: 6 Furlong $5k N3L, and #3 Emma’s a Beast has ran 2 really good races since being claimed earlier this meet, narrowly losing in the deep stretch. She’s very quick, and could easily make the lead or get a good stalking trip, as most of these sprints at Emerald are won by front runners. #8 Waverly Way could a also inherit a nice stalking trip from the outside draw, and has enough early speed to keep up. Ran well as a heavy favorite last out, and returns to this condition for trainer Sam Dronen, who has sent out 10 runners at the meet, going 3-1-2. #6 Mika the Mistress came to Emerald and competed well against tougher, getting second by a length twice. They tried to raise her in class, but she was in a bit over her head, and returns to a softer spot today.
Race 6: Restricted 3 year olds go in this MC $15k, and #4 Balius takes the biggest drop he’s seen after racing well against tougher. After tries at GG, his two over the Emerald track have produced figures on par with winners, and should get the pace to close into. #7 Stanley’s Wave can take a step forward after a somewhat poor outing last race, and is 3rd off a long layoff, pointing to a good race. The trainer has won multiple times this meet with big prices, and this one could surprise the others that will take money. #5 Haveulostyourmind was claimed 2 back for the win machines of Chad and Josh/Lucarelli, and improved first run for the barn. This horse has the numbers to win, and the intent by the connections is to do exactly that in this spot.
Race 7: A $40k Stakes race for 2 year old colts and geldings, The WTBOA Lads is packed with promising young horses. #6 Seattlesbestsecret was last seen losing by a nose in the King County Express Stakes, where he got into some traffic trouble coming off the turn, was steadied slightly, and still came on with finish. The winner that day had a perfect outside/stalking trip, and I think today might be different. #9 Captain Dashi is interesting, as he debuted in that stakes race. He broke horribly, spotting the field 10 lengths. He ran well, and finished with interest in the lane, and a step forward makes him a contender. #1 John’s On Point had a terrific debut against open company, never seeing the back of another horse. As he steps up into stakes company, the inside draw could set him up for a wire job if he breaks well.
Race 8: This is a salty group for being a N3L, and you could really take anyone out of this field, but I’ll take a shot with #7 Azadi. He is the lightest raced of the field, winning 2 of his 4 starts, and I think might have some more upside than his contemporaries. Might not get the ML price, but should be good value against a big field. #9 The Supply Program could also upset at a big number, as his first race over the Emerald dirt wasn’t horrible, and he was bet to under 5-1 off the ship. I think horses can take a start or two to acclimate to the track, and if he moves forward, red hot trainer Jorge Rosales might get another one. #3 Irish Swing is logical, dropping down after a game second last out. Should be sharper 2nd off the long layoff.
Race 9: The 2 year old filly stake this evening, The Barbara Shinpoch Stakes, might give the heavy favorite #8 Time for Gold back to back stakes wins in the baby division, and set her up for year end honors. She ran a decent debut, but snuck away from the bettors last out, winning at a 12-1, and putting up a massive figure. She looked like she did it quite easily, and anything close to that effort should beat this field. Her stablemate, #9 Managingbrianna won at first asking, which is always a good sign, and even improved in her last out, only to run into a buzz saw. #5 Easy Silence is a first time starter, but being by the hottest sire around, Constitution, you have to give her a look.
Race 10: Another salty field of OC $7.5k where any number can get the money, and #7 Pure Pursuit looks to be one of the quicker horses, and should be forwardly placed. Trainer Nick Lowe swept the QH races last week, and knows how to train them for a fast getaway. He claimed this horse back in his last race after leaving the barn for a one race stint, so I think Lowe liked what he had. #6 Far West has figures that are competitive with the field, and may be overlooked as people may look toward the #5 filly. Birdwell doesn’t send many out, it when she does they are usually ready to fire, hitting the board 9-19 starts this meet. #8 Swingshift Deputy is dropping slightly, and has back numbers on the track that look good. Gets Lucarelli’s top call, and could improve.
Race 11: The nightcap is a bottom level $2.5k claimer, and #7 Seattle Smoke returns to the level where he has finished runner-up in consecutive starts, losing only by a neck both times. Rosales is great after the claim, and the change of scenery to a red hot barn might put him over the top. #6 Bernie has improved slightly in his last 3, and he could be primed for a big effort. Hasn’t won this year, but has been knocking at the door at this level. #3 Working is cutting back after running a mile evenly, and get bug rider Joree Scriver aboard. Usually comes from off the pace, and it looks like this big field might beat it up on the front end.
-Good Luck!