Blue Law stepping down to face easier company

Blue Law and Rallying Market appear to be the main players in a $15,000 conditional-claiming race that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Emerald Downs. Rallying Market will be the one they have to run down, and Blue Law should be rolling late in the six-furlong dash that drew seven horses.

Blue Law apparently likes the Pacific Northwest and really hasn’t run a bad race in his three starts at Emerald for trainer Candi Tollett.

With Rocco Bowen aboard, he lost by a head going 5 1/2 furlongs in a $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of two April 16. Bowen brought him from a stalking position to beat Rallying Market in a $15,000 claiming race for non-winners of three on April 30. Blue Law moved up to face $20,000 open claimers in his next start and ran into a very tough horse in the stakes winner Party Pooper, who won the six-furlong sprint.

Blue Law ran an even race to finish fourth and will appreciate the easier company he meets Saturday. If Mister Breeze can soften up Rallying Market, there is an excellent chance that Blue Law will get his picture taken for the third time in his career. He drew post 5, with Bowen retaining the mount.

Rallying Market is having a strong meet, with two wins from three starts; trainer Vince Gibson had the improved 4-year-old ready for a big effort coming off the bench. Making his first start of the year, Rallying Market was an easy 5 1/2-length winner of a $7,500 conditional-claiming race April 16. He came back with another solid effort two weeks later, leading until Blue Law overtook him inside the sixteenth pole. Retaining his sharpness, Rallying Market set a fast pace and held off First Thought to win by a neck in a $15,000 conditional-claiming race May 19.

He drew post 4, and there isn’t much doubt that Juan Gutierrez will have him into the race right from the start.

KEY CONTENDERS

Blue Law, by Dunkirk
Last 3 Beyers: 77-76-60

◗ The 5-year-old wasn’t competitive in his three starts at Santa Anita this year but has thrived at Emerald, and there should be speed coming back to him.

Rallying Market, by Rallying Cry
Last 3 Beyers: 67-71-71

◗ The speed of the speed, he could be gone if Mister Breeze doesn’t pressure him.

Hoody, by Nationhood
Last 3 Beyers: 64-70-76

◗ Trained by Kay Cooper, the four-time winner was rallying late when he finished third in his first start of the year. He could take a big step forward with a race behind him.