Atypique tops field in final leg of Horsemen Series

The final leg of the three-race Horsemen Helping Horsemen Distance Series headlines the final Saturday of the 2018 Emerald Downs meet, which wraps up Sunday. Post time for the first of 10 races is 5 p.m. Pacific.

Not many horses run in 12-furlong races in North America, especially on dirt, and none of the seven horses entered in the $8,000 starter race has gone its 1 1/2-mile distance.

Atypique looks like the one to beat. He won the first of the two divisions of the first leg going 1 1/8 miles, fair and square. He also finished first in the 1 1/4-mile second leg. However, with Julien Couton riding, he drifted in late and caused Royal Tale, who was making a move along the rail, to steady sharply. It did not appear Royal Tale was going to beat Atypique, but he clearly lost momentum while finishing fourth. The stewards understandably placed Atypique behind Royal Tale.

The first two legs of the series were claiming races, and Atypique was taken out of both races. Trainer Debbie Perry, acting on behalf of Little Barn Racing and Michele Brasch, claimed him off from trainer Bonnie Jenne for $8,000 on Sept. 1. Jenne had claimed the 6-year-old Kentucky-bred from trainer Roy Lumm out of the first leg for $5,000 on Aug. 11.

Atypique, who drew the rail, came from a stalking position in his last two starts and should get a similar trip with Couton riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Atypique, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 65-62-61

◗ He is trending in the right direction and has the highest Tomlinson rating for the 1 1/2-mile distance.

◗ With the start of the three-turn race coming very close to the first turn, he should get a nice trip breaking from the inside post.

Tiz Jolie, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 65-64-60

◗ Making his first start after claimed by trainer Rigoberto Velasquez, he chased an honest pace set by Cold Hard Luck and was game in defeat but awarded the win in the second leg.

◗ Again he will have Cold Hard Luck to run down, and he could be dangerous with a well-timed ride by David Lopez.

Private Boss, by Private Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 60-65-60

◗ Trained by Roy Lumm, he came within a neck of beating The Gold Monkey in the other division of the first leg of the series, and then spotted the field quite a few lengths when he reared at the start in the second leg.

The Gold Monkey, by Surf Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 62-66-66

◗ A popular commodity, he was claimed out of his last three starts and is reunited with leading trainer Jeff Metz. He won a division of the first leg after Metz claimed him for $5,000 on July 13, but didn’t fire in the second leg for trainer Joe Toye.

◗ Going into the final weekend Metz has a three-win lead over Blaine Wright in the race for leading trainer.