Alleva's speed gives him upper hand in starter allowance
Alleva figures to be a short price when he meets five others in a starter-allowance sprint on Monday at Emerald Downs. The 6 1/2-furlong race is for runners who have started for a claiming price of $10,000 or less during the past year.
Trainer Justin Evans claimed Alleva back on Jan. 26 for $8,500, and has been rewarded with three wins and two seconds in the gelding’s five races for him, all at Turf Paradise. Alleva most recently finished second for a $20,000 claiming price, and had previously been feasting on starter-allowance races, which allowed him to start without fear of being claimed.
Evans said that Alleva has been training well at Emerald.
“He is an old class horse,” Evans said. “I tried utilizing his gate speed and it has worked well. Putting him into the race early seems to be the ticket.”
Alleva’s younger full sister Ami Please finished second in the UAE Oaks in Dubai in February.
Alleva’s speed gives him a big advantage over his rivals on Monday, which include his stablemate Minoso, Mosquito Fleet, You’re the Cause, Hydrogen, and Boss Nine
Minoso, Evans said, “is in there to try to pick up the pieces.”
You’re the Cause was the upset winner of the Muckleshoot Derby here last August. His $115.60 win mutuel that day anchored a track-record pick-four payout of $29,970 for 50 cents.
You’re the Cause sports a 4-for-6 record at Emerald Downs and proved quite the claim from a maiden $8,000 event just two starts prior to his Muckleshoot Derby triumph. Javier Matias, who piloted You’re the Cause to his big win, will have the call again for trainer Debbie Van Horne.
Mosquito Fleet finished third at this level May 6. Mosquito Fleet faced Alleva on April 11 at Turf Paradise and finished fourth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths after a wide trip. Alleva battled with two others through torrid early fractions and still prevailed.
Boss Nine has been racing on grass at Turf Paradise.
Monday’s headliner will go as race 3 on the nine-race holiday card, with first post scheduled for 2 p.m. Pacific.
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