Beau Rocket has all the speed in Friday feature

Despite moving into open company, Beau Rocket looks like the one to catch and beat in a $25,000 claimer that will serve as the feature Friday night at Emerald Downs. The one-mile race for fillies and mares drew six horses and goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

It took Beau Rocket a while to make it to the races, but she didn’t waste any time in finding the winner’s circle. Trained by Blaine Wright, the 4-year-old Washington-bred took them all the way when she debuted in a $25,000 maiden claimer on May 5.

Her second race came in a first-level allowance race with a $30,000 claiming option, and it was a debacle. After breaking a half-step slowly, she was repeatedly steadied while trying to run over horses in front of her. She was eventually eased by jockey Ryan Barber.

No mistakes were made in her next two starts. With Franklin Ceballos up, she dueled through quick interior fractions before pulling away to win going six furlongs in a $15,000 claimer for nonwinners of two on July 3. Stretching out to a mile with Javier Matias picking up the mount, she romped by 6 1/2 furlongs in a $15,000 nonwinners of three Aug. 16.

She is stepping up in class, but she drew the outside post with Matias keeping the faith, and she could be gone if she gets the jump on McDove, who appears to be the only other speed.

KEY CONTENDERS

Beau Rocket, by Heatseeker

Last 3 Beyers: 71-51-0

◗ The 71 Beyer Speed Figure she received for her blowout win is the best last-race figure in the field, and she was under wraps approaching the wire.

◗ Ignoring her troubled trip when she faced a tough group of allowance horses in her second start, she’s perfect, and being lightly raced her best races could be in front of her.

Afleet Hope, by Afleet Express

Last 3 Beyers: 54-63-54

◗ Another one stepping up in class, but it could set up for her if McDove and Beau Rocket get into an all-out duel up front.

◗ The Tom Wenzel trainee is a two-time winner at the distance.

Little Dancer, by Successful Appeal

Last 3 Beyers: 64-35-66

◗ The 2017 Washington Oaks winner, she has done her best work when she is able to get in the race early, which could happen with trainer Doris Harwood putting blinkers back on.

McDove, by Proud Citizen

Last 3 Beyers: 64-63-57

◗ The 6-year-old Kentucky-bred is best sprinting, with her lone win going around two turns coming in a $12,500 nonwinners of two on Tapeta at Golden Gate in 2017. Still, she is coming off a runner-up finish at this level and distance on Aug. 11

◗ She drew the rail, where she can make good use of her speed, and should get first crack at Beau Rocket.