Race 1: We start the Thursday evening card at Emerald with an open claimer for 3 year old fillies, where many have a chance bolster their record. #5 Miss Vanjie Nation ran a good 2nd last out, and put up her best figure of her 4 race career. Has never been out of the exacta, and a repeat of her last effort makes her very competitive. #4 Full Speed Ahead faced winners for the first time last out, and was a respectable 3rd behind our top pick. She was positioned inside of runners, and made a steady bid through some traffic. Getting away from the rail should ensure a clear trip. #1 Tap That Spot is also coming out of that race, finishing 4th, going wide, but improving from her previous outing. The rider change to Matias is an upgrade and could move this horse up.
Race 2: These maidens are almost all stretching out to the mile distance for the first time, so I’ll look to #5 Warm Lake Dude, who has gone this trip over grass earlier this year in Arizona. His figure at this distance is on par with average winners for this level, and should appreciate the extra distance. #2 Stanley Ryder is the only other who has tried the mile, doing so last year as a 3 year old. He has improved his figures this year, and closed extremely well in his last out sprint. #7 Magic Mahogany is trying 2 turns for the first time, and should be able to work out a clear trip from the outside post. Was wide on the turn last out, and finished well to be 3rd after trying to sit off of eventual wire to wire winner. Fitness should be nothing to worry about 3rd off the bench.
Race 3: In this group of older horses going for a $3.5k tag, it should be hard to get past ML favorite #5 Last One Standing. He was bet to favoritism at this same level two weeks ago, and ran well attending the pace. Likes to race up on the lead, and may be able to control the tempo upfront. #6 Mr. Bingley closed well to be 3rd behind our top pick in that same race, and the 4th and 5th place runners came back yesterday to run 1st and 2nd at big prices. That race looks live. #3 Attercop returned to Emerald after running some great figures in Oregon, and threw in a clunker. If we put a line through that race, his back form fits well here, and the jockey change should help as well.
Race 4: Maidens in for the $25k tag, and the top the ML choices look like the group to beat, all having raced at least once. #4 Cribbs is dropping down from MSW, and gets Alex Cruz in the irons, an upgrade from Wooten. So far this year trainer Steve Bullock has dropped 4 maiden runners into claiming races, and won twice at good prices. #3 Wahasha is also dropping after a race at a higher level. Took money as a first time starter that day, bet down to 9/2, and should move forward off that experience. #2 Camden High has run the fastest figure of the group, and could easily win at what should be a short price. Martinez adds the blinkers to this filly, so she should be on or near the lead, which is always a good place to be on the Emerald dirt.
Race 5: A field of 11 go to post looking for their second lifetime win, in what looks like a wide open race. #2 Comradery broke her maiden last out, and might have figured out she likes to cross the wire first. After running a career best figure, if she makes any improvement, could clear the level. #4 Lookforthedimple has hit the board in half of her 8 races, and always takes money from the bettors. Drops in today to the lowest class she has seen, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s the best. If the pace is as hot as it looks on paper, #8 Bellamagic will be looking to roll late at what should be a decent price. Has been running down the claiming ladder, and finds herself in a spot where she has a chance.
Race 6: In this $20k claimer going 6 furlongs, I’m going to look to the inside runner #1 Spot On, who comes in off a win here in early July, after being sidelined since last October. She likes to run on the lead, and shouldn’t have trouble making that lead from this post. #3 Close the Show Lo was second to our top pick last out, and also fired well off a long layoff. Any improvement from that effort puts this mare in contention. ML favorite #4 Fortune’s Freud won her seasonal debut at this level 3 weeks ago, and returns to try and keep the winning streak alive in 2020. Her trip last out was slightly impeded, but she closed incredibly. A repeat of that effort will be tough against this field.
Race 7: The first stakes race of the meet brings us 2 year old fillies in the Angie C., and the massive ML favorite at 7/5 is the shipper from Canada, #7 Anothersunnyday. Her debut speed figure at 3.5 furlongs is off the charts, as she won easily at Hastings 2 weeks ago. Blaine Wright is taking care of the horse in the States, and knows a thing or two about saddling up Stakes winners. If the favorite doesn’t fire on the Emerald track, as it is sometimes tricky for Hastings runners to get over, #1 Time for Gold has proven she enjoys the track. Heavily bet in her maiden debut, she should take a step forward with that experience. Lucarelli seems to have a strong hand when it comes to 2 year old fillies, as he has 3 entered in the race. Another outside contender is #3 Managingbrianna, who won her debut impressively by open lengths. Steps up in class here, but seems like the type to get the added distance.
Race 8: A well matched allowance field goes 6 furlongs, and there are some up and coming types in here that are interesting. #1 Hard to Deny absolutely obliterated a field of maidens last out, and moves up to face winners for the first time, but given his progression so far, he could be a player in the older male division this year. Sticking with the lightly raced theme, #6 Raise the Woof has done nothing wrong in his two starts, winning on debut last year at 3, and returning this year to improve on his figure and win again. His page is littered with bullet works, and is the rightful ML favorite. #2 Igotabooboo was well backed on debut, and rewarding those backers with a win, drawing away. The figure was strong, although at a much lower class level, and should have a chance against this group.
Race 9: The counterpart to the Angie C., 2 year old colts and geldings go 5.5 furlongs in the King County Express Stakes. The full field of 12 offers some runners that have shown some promise already, including #8 Seattlesbestsecret. He won drawing off against MSW company, earning the highest figure in the field. Worked once since that win, going 5 furlongs in a minute and change, best of the morning. #4 Great Gasby is invading from the North, and is bred to be a runner. A $75k purchase starts Keeneland September by Tiznow, bred by WinStar Farm, he still has yet to win. He was bet down to 1/2 on debut, but hopped badly at the start. He should appreciate the extra distance, and could be tough if he breaks well. #2 Chris the Beaver is coming in off a debut win the first week of the meet. Has worked twice since, so should be fit, and trainer Rosales has been winning at huge prices and a great percentage this year.
Race 10: The nightcap is a $5k claimer for fillies and mares trying to get win number two. #7 Dazzling Debbi has a horrible outing last race, and we can put a line through that effort. Drops in class to the lowest she’s seen. Wales gets back aboard, the rider who she’s had the best results with in her career. #2 Excessive Belief will likely go of at a short price, but her last effort warrants that, as it is several points higher than any rival. #1 Salty Little Lass has room to improve, coming in 3rd off a layoff, and is the type to race herself into shape.