Belladiva gets class relief in featured claimer

Belladiva looks like the one to beat in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race for fillies and mares that serves as the feature Saturday at Emerald Downs. Not counting maiden wins, the 6 1/2-furlong sprint is restricted to horses who have not won two races. It drew seven horses, and Belladiva will appreciate the class relief after running in three straight $25,000 optional-claiming races.

Trained by Junior Coffey, Belladiva has been a consistent performer throughout her 13-race career. She has finished in the top three in nine of her starts and is coming off a fourth-place finish in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint won by Tabled With Gold, an eight-time winner with $132,681 in earnings. She didn’t have a great trip, and her troubles started when she broke inward while leaving from the rail. She ended up moving into contention but was stuck on the rail and appeared intimidated throughout the stretch.

Belladiva’s last win came going 6 1/2 furlongs June 21 in an open $25,000 claiming race in which she prevailed in a three-horse battle and held off Sunpenny, who came from a stalking position.

Javier Matias retains the mount and likely will have her near the lead after she breaks from post 5.

Speed will be provided by Collateral, who is coming off a front-running win Aug. 16 in a $25,000 maiden claimer at Hastings for trainer Troy Taylor. Mike Puhich takes over the training of the Kentucky-bred daughter of Colonel John for this race.

Key contenders

Belladiva (Last 3 Beyers: 59-55-61)

* This is an easier group than she faced in her latest, and she should be tough to handle if she breaks better than she did last time. It also won’t hurt that she gets off the rail.

Collateral (Last 3 Beyers: 64-46-NA)

* She owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, and being the first foal out of Heaven On Hold, a stakes winner with $119,990 in earnings, she could have considerable upside potential.

Del Mar Dixie (Last 3 Beyers: 43-60-61)

* She would look a bit better with at least one work showing since she faded while going a mile in a $16,000 conditional-claiming race Aug. 8 at Del Mar. Nonetheless, she will be making her first start for trainer Manuel Ortiz, who has won with 29 percent of his starters at the meet.

DRF Formulator fact: Over the past five years, Ortiz has a 21 percent strike rate and a $2.33 ROI with new shooters.