Ain't Tellin' to show his speed in sprint feature

With a strong set of works, Ain’t Tellin’ appears to be primed for a big effort in his first start of the year in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Saturday. The 5 1/2-furlong sprint drew eight horses and appears to be a wide-open event.

Last year, Ain’t Tellin’ won five of his six starts at Emerald for trainer Jim Penney before closing out his season at Hastings, where he went unplaced in two starts.

Ain’t Tellin’ is fast and led from the start in all of his wins. Beginning with a romp in a five-furlong, $5,000 maiden-claiming race on April 26, he reeled off three straight wins before finishing last in a $12,500 conditional claimer July 17. In his only loss at the meet, he broke a step slowly and never got near the lead in the one-mile race.

He made no mistakes in his next two starts, and his last win came over next-out winner Tie Spinner in a $15,000 open claiming race.

Ain’t Tellin’ will break from post 6 with Juan Gutierrez aboard. If he breaks on top, he could be gone.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ain’t Tellin’, by Lewis Michael

Last 3 Beyers: 51-53-79

◗ A horse for the course, he may have tipped his hand when he worked a bullet five furlongs out of the gate in 58.20 seconds on March 20.

Inexcess Again, by Snorter

Last 3 Beyers: 59-72-69

◗ He likes to be involved early, and he didn’t fire when he was eased into a stalking position in his latest at Golden Gate. He should have a fitness edge over the locals, and trainer Blaine Wright has won with both of his starters at the meet.

Perfect Night, by Cahill Road

Last 3 Beyers: 69-69-72

◗ The consistent 7-year-old runs well fresh and has been working well enough for trainer Howard Belvoir.

◗ He should also get a nice trip stalking what figures to be a fast and contested pace.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years, Belvoir has a respectable 15 percent strike rate with horses coming off a layoff of 180 days or more.

Cantcatchme, by Harbor the Gold

Last 3 Beyers: 65-58-50

◗ He is undefeated in two races since being claimed by trainer Jeff Metz for $3,200 on March 6 and should appreciate the shape of the race.

◗ Both of his wins came on Tapeta at Golden Gate against cheaper, but he is a very sharp horse and is racing fit.