Alley Boss in top form for Sunday feature

In 2017 Joe Toye was the second-leading trainer at Emerald Downs behind Blaine Wright. Toye won 38 races from 125 starters for an excellent 30 percent strike rate. It appears he is going to be a major force at Emerald again this year.

Toye won with his only opening-day starter, Rojo Bou Peep, who rallied to win a $25,000 claiming race for nonwinners of three. Rojo Bou Beep was ridden by Rocco Bowen, who may use the same tactics when he rides Alley Boss for Toye in a $10,000 waiver claiming race that will serve as Sunday’s feature.

The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up drew nine horses. Alley Boss, who is versatile and coming off three solid races at Turf Paradise, appears the one to beat.

Alley Boss has been a good claim for Toye, who haltered him on behalf of Bill Jensen for $10,000 at Turf Paradise on Dec. 10. Alley Boss gave Jensen a quick return on his investment when he won a $10,000 claiming race Jan. 30. He had a rough trip when he was the runner-up going six furlongs in a first-level allowance race Feb. 20, but no mistakes were made when he got up in time to win a similar race March 14.

In his race prior to being claimed, Alley Boss took them all the way in an $8,000 claiming race Nov. 15.

On Sunday he drew post 3, from where Bowen will have more than one option.

Grand Palais will be making his first start of the year. Trained by Wright, he has compiled a solid 2-3-1 record from seven starts at Emerald and could be dangerous from the rail with Erick Lopez riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Alley Boss, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 79-79-74

◗ He’s on top of his game, and with wins at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Turf Paradise he shouldn’t have any trouble adapting to a new surface.

◗ DRF FORMULATOR FACT: The past five years at Emerald, Bowen has won with 30 percent of his mounts from Toye.

Grand Palais, by Grand Slam
Last 3 Beyers: 71-57-56

◗ He likes it here, is capable of firing fresh, and the winner of his last start, which came at Pleasanton, repeated in a $16,000 claimer at Fresno on Oct. 13.

Sorryaboutnothing, by Repent
Last 3 Beyers: 53-72-72

◗ Trained by Sandi Gann, the 2016 Grade 3 British Columbia Derby winner wants more distance. Nonetheless, he won’t mind the move from turf to dirt and there should be speed coming back to him.

Mitch and John E, by Run Away and Hide
Last 3 Beyers: 66-75-74

◗ That was a decent horse that beat him in his last start, which came at Portland Meadows. The Rigoberto Velasquez-trained 4-year-old is the speed of the speed and could be tough to run down if he clears early.