Better break key for Paddy's Secret

Paddy’s Secret will be a short price in a $25,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs on Saturday. The 5 1/2-furlong dash with first-level allowance conditions drew six horses, and anyone watching Paddy’s Secret run in a similar race April 9 knows she is going to be tough to handle.

Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Paddy’s Secret romped by 6 1/4 lengths when she debuted in a maiden special weight race last June and then faded badly after chasing a fast pace in the $50,000 Angie C Stakes last July.

She was turned out for the year, and in her comeback race, she got off to a poor start after breaking from the rail. After gathering herself, she rushed up to engage Retreat Yourself. The duo dueled through honest fractions, and despite the poor start, Paddy’s Secret held on well to finish a clear second behind Retreat Yourself.

Paddy’s Secret drew post 2, with Erick Lopez retaining the mount.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paddy’s Secret, by Paddy O’Prado
Last 3 Beyers: 67-29-62

◗ She is the speed of the speed, and with a race behind her, she figures to be a handful in her second start back. She gets off the rail and could be gone if she breaks alertly.

FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Emerald, Lucarelli has a 21 percent strike rate and a $2.01 ROI with horses making their second start following a layoff.

Getting Joellenned, by Trappe Shot
Last 3 Beyers: 60-52-40

◗ Trained by Tom Wenzel, she finished third in the same race that Paddy’s Secret exits and is also eligible to move forward in her second start this year.

◗ Being the first foal out of Halloween Candy, who won five races and earned $118,940, her future could be bright.

◗ In her final start as a 2-year-old, she set the pace before finishing second to Blazinbeauty in the $49,500 Barbara Shinpoch. Blazinbeauty came back to beat the boys going 1 1/16 miles in the $75,000 Gottstein Futurity.

Lofty Cause, by Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 65-34-36

◗ Dropping to a new low for trainer Blaine Wright, she was sent off at 1-5 and romped by 11 3/4 lengths in her first start at Emerald in an $8,000 maiden-claiming race April 8.

◗ She had finished first in a $50,000 maiden-claiming race at Santa Anita last November but was disqualified for causing interference early in the 5 1/2-furlong dash.

◗ The California-bred filly will be making her first start for trainer Terry Gillihan, who claimed her out of her winning race on behalf of Ed and Fran Barber.