Arrom Bear has recency edge in Sunday sprint
It is difficult to separate the seven horses running in race 9 on Sunday at Emerald Downs, a $50,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds and up. Nonetheless, Arrom Bear could have a slight edge over his rivals in the 5 1/2-fulong sprint. First post for Sunday’s 10-race card is 2 p.m. Pacific.
Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Arrom Bear is the only horse in the field with a recent race. It was a good one, too. He set the pace before giving it up late to finish third in a $40,000 claiming race March 6 at Golden Gate.
Arrom Bear was making his first start since he finished seventh in a $62,500 claimer Aug. 20 at Del Mar. With a race behind him, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take a big step forward.
He drew the outside post, and with an abundance of speed in the field, jockey Leslie Mawing will likely try and put him into a stalking position.
Adding complexity to a difficult puzzle is Solemnly Swear. This will be his first start since he finished fourth in the $50,000 Richmond Derby Trial on Aug. 22, 2014, at Hastings.
He was coming off a sharp win sprinting in a $30,000 optional-claiming race at Monmouth for trainer David Jacobson. Following his win, he was purchased by Glen Todd and Mark Dedomenico with an eye toward that year’s Grade 3 British Columbia Derby.
He looks primed for a big effort, and he earned a bullet for his four-furlong work April 4 at Emerald. How he comes back is anyone’s guess, however.
KEY CONTENDERS
Arrom Bear, by Nationhood
Last 3 Beyers: 78-65-85
◗ He won twice at Emerald last year.
◗ Following his solid effort at Golden Gate, he came back with a couple of sharp works.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: The past five years at Emerald, Lucarelli has a 22 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.
Solemly Swear, by Yes It’s True
Last 3 Beyers: 68-96-95
◗ He has the right running style for this race.
◗ Prior to going on the shelf, he put up a couple of lofty Beyer Speed Figures.
O B Harbor, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 78-67-72
◗ Trained by Chris Stenslie, he runs well fresh and he may have tipped his hand when he worked five furlongs in 58.40 seconds March 26.
Kaabraaj, by Abraaj
Last 3 Beyers: 85-80-76
◗ He is dropping in class.
◗ He is trained by Jeff Metz, who was the leading trainer at Emerald for the third straight year in 2015.