Big Hat Charlie on the upswing

If tradition holds true the largest crowd of the year will be on hand at Emerald Downs Tuesday. Most will be there to see the annual fireworks extravaganza that will follow the nine-race card that begins 5:00 p.m. Pacific.

The ones that arrive before the 8:39, post time for race 8 will be treated to what figures to be a highly competitive race for older $20,000 claimers going 6 1/2 furlongs.

Big Hat Charlie looks like a serious player. Trained by Charles Essex, he is coming off a narrow loss to Blame It On Royce at the same level going six furlongs June 17. The margin was a half-length, and that was a big improvement over his first start this year when Blame It On Royce beat him by 8 1/2 lengths.

The 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding is clearly trending in a positive direction and could be sitting on a big effort when he breaks from post 6 with leading rider Rocco Bowen retaining the mount.

Grand Palais could end up being favored over his six rivals.

The Blaine Wright-trained Florida-bred went six wide around the turn when he finished third in a $10,000 starter allowance race June 17. He won his two previous races which included a one-length victory over The Press in a $20,000 claiming race on May 25.

He figures to be in the mix right from the start if he breaks alertly from post 5 with Erick Lopez riding.

KEY CONTENDERS

Big Hat Charlie, by Indian Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 75-58-77

He was coming off a lengthy layoff in his first start this year and he showed he needed the race when he came back with a strong effort in his next race.

With a 3-3-3 record from 9 starts at Emerald he seems to thrive over the local surface.

Grand Palais, by Grand Slam

Last 3 Beyers: 68-72-80

His best races are when he can get into the mix early and that wasn’t the case when he lost a lot of ground on the turn in his last start.

He could be tough to handle if he breaks on top.

Freedom Hill, by Summer Bird

Last 3 Beyers: 70-61-73

Also trained by Wright, he finished third in the same race Big Hat Charlie exits and he took a step forward in his second start following a four-month layoff.

Opportunistic, by Sky Mesa

Last 3 Beyers: 69-76-60

The 2016 Emerald Downs Derby winner probably wants more distance, but there should be speed coming back to him, and he is coming off a couple of decent efforts at Churchill Downs for trainer Thomas Van Berg.

He’s reunited with trainer Michael Puhich, who was the trainer of record when he won the Emerald Derby.