Betrbegone starts 5-year-old campaign facing easier company

When Betrbegone made his seasonal debut in a six-furlong, open allowance last year, he ran a decent race to finish third. The winner, Kaabraaj, was spectacular, setting a track record while easily handling Prime Engine, who is one of the top horses in the Pacific Northwest.

Trainer David Martinez has found an easier spot for Betrbegone to start his 5-year-old campaign at Emerald Downs on Saturday. The route-stakes winner is going to appreciate the easier company in a $40,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-olds and up that drew eight horses going six furlongs.

Betrbegone started just four times last year, and though he didn’t win, he did come within a half-length of upsetting O B Harbor in the $50,000 Budweiser. He was turned out for the year following a disappointing fifth-place finish going 1 1/16 miles in the $50,000 Mount Rainier on July 9.

In his only other start going six furlongs, he was an easy winner of a first-level allowance in 2015. If he breaks alertly from post 7 with apprentice David Martin aboard, he might be the one they have to catch in a race where there doesn’t appear to be any confirmed front-runners.

KEY CONTENDERS

Betrbegone, by Parker’s Storm Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 74-94-84

◗ The stakes winner has been working like he’s ready to fire a big shot coming off the bench. He also ran well coming off lengthy layoffs the past two years. In 2015, he finished second going 5 1/2 furlongs to O B Harbor, who holds the track record for the distance, and we know what happened last year.

Togrammashousewego, by Houseofroyalhearts
Last 3 Beyers: 80-70-68

◗ Trained by Charles Essex, he ran a huge race in his first start as a 4-year-old, and the 80 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his runner-up finish going 5 1/2 furlongs in a $25,000 optional-claiming race April 16 is his career best.

◗ He’s never been worse than second sprinting, but he has a habit of breaking a bit slowly. He drew post 2 and could be dangerous if leading rider Rocco Bowen can get him into the race early.

Papa Frank, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-78

◗ Trained by Mary Kate, he could be sitting on a big race in his second start as a 5-year-old.

◗ In his first race at the meet, he was the middle horse in a three-horse duel, finishing second by a head to Big Hat Charlie in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race April 22. Due to Big Hat Charlie veering out and causing Papa Frank to steady sharply at the quarter pole, the stewards reversed the order of finish.