Bet the Harbor looks to double up in sprint

Trainer Mary Pirone took the blinkers off Bet the Harbor and got the desired result with a win in a $15,000 claiming race for nonwinners of three at Emerald Downs on April 28. Bet the Harbor will try to double up in a $20,000 open claimer that headlines the eight-race card at Emerald on Saturday.

Considering that most of the eight horses entered in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint want more distance, there is a strong chance Bet the Harbor will repeat.

The only other time Bet the Harbor ran without blinkers in his 23-race career was on turf at Turf Paradise, where he set the pace before fading going 7 1/2 furlongs in a first-level allowance in 2016. Prior to his latest victory, he ran a similar race on grass going a mile in a second-level allowance at Turf Paradise on March 5.

The equipment change may have helped him settle early. He came from a stalking position to win his latest race by 1 3/4 lengths. However, he wasn’t completely focused in the stretch and drifted out quite a bit.

The 6-year-old California-bred drew post 5, and his ability to stalk will give jockey Jose Zunino more than one option. Given the lack of pure speed in the field, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bet the Harbor on the lead.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bet the Harbor, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 64-63-54

◗ He’s stepping up in class but could take a big step forward with the positive experience of running without blinkers behind him.

The Press, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 83-74-74

◗ He didn’t win in 2017 but closed out his 4-year-old campaign Sept. 24 with a runner-up finish at this level behind the stakes winner Betrebgone, and for the most part, he was running against – and not being embarrassed by – the top horses at Emerald.

◗ A stakes winner at 3, he has been training forwardly for local Hall of Fame trainer Howard Belvoir and should be forwardly placed after breaking from post 4 with Jennifer Whitaker riding.

Estiqaa, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 70-74-68

◗ He is coming off three solid races at Turf Paradise, the latest being a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance race in April, and he attracts leading rider Rocco Bowen. Trained by Roddina Barrett, he also has an excellent 2-0-1 record from three starts at the distance.

Remembertobreathe, by D’wildcat
Last 3 Beyers: 80-74-77

◗ The Terry Gillihan-trained 7-year-old probably wants more distance but has a nice set of works showing and should get a nice trip from a stalking position with Austin Solis riding. Solis is the son of Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis, and with five wins from 24 mounts at the meet, he is off to a promising start at Emerald.