Argosy Fleet finds suitable spot

Argosy Fleet will appreciate the class relief and cutback in distance when he runs in a first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs Saturday. There is also a $25,000 claiming option available in the 6 1/2-furlong feature, which drew nine horses. Post time for the first of eight races Saturday is 5 p.m. Pacific.

When Argosy Fleet made his first start for trainer Blaine Wright in the $50,00 River Rock Casino Handicap at Hastings on June 3, it looked like he was going to be one of the leaders in the 3-year-old stakes division there. He was boxed in for most of the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, but once clear he finished with a flourish to lose by a half-length to Wise Market.

Argosy Fleet did not fire when favored going a middle distance for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Chris Loseth Handicap July 21 here, and he forced the pace before fading to finish a distant fourth in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby in his first start at Emerald on July 29.

His best race was a runner-up finish going 5 1/2 furlongs in the $100,000 Santa Anita Juvenile last year, so it is possible he has distance limitations.

Argosy Fleet drew post 4, and he should be able to stalk what is likely going to be a fast and contested pace.

Kevin Orozco will be aboard for the first time.

KEY CONTENDERS

Argosy Fleet, by Mineshaft

Last 3 Beyers: 61-72-73

He hasn’t lived up to the promise he showed in his first two starts for trainer Eddie Truman at Santa Anita, but his best races have been sprinting and that is what he gets to do in this spot.

Take Charge Deputy, by Take Charge Indy

Last 3 Beyers: 32-55-67

The Portland Meadows stakes winner was coming off a lengthy layoff when he was the runner-up in a similar race on July 14, and may have bounced when he never got involved in the Muckleshoot Derby in his second start at the meet.

Toss his race in the Muckleshoot and the Jorge Rosales-trained California-bred looks like a serious player.

Cody’s Choice, by Raise the Bluff

Last 3 Beyers: 80-19-71

Trained by Vince Gibson, he won two of his last three starts and the 80 Beyer he received for his front-running five-length romp in a $15,000 conditional claimer for 3-year-olds and up last Saturday is easily the best last-race figure in the field.

He will have to deal with other speed, though, particularly Freiburg who dueled through extremely fast fractions before being eased in the Muckleshoot Derby.

Freiburg, by Langfuhr

Last 3 Beyers: 11-0-66

Trained by Jose Navarro, he won’t mind the move back to a sprint. He was the runner-up going six and one half furlongs in the $50,000 Coca-Cola on June 17, but faded badly after setting brisk fractions in his only two route attempts in the $50,000 Seattle Slew and Muckleshoot Derby.