Caliente Gold could pull minor surprise
Caliente Gold is a maiden and has started only twice. Nonetheless, she might be worth taking a stab at in what appears to be a wide-open, $25,000 optional-claiming race for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs on Friday. The one-mile event drew nine horses and goes as race 6 on a seven-race card that begins at 6:45 p.m. Pacific.
Trained by Marshall Allen, Caliente Gold took a big step forward in her second race, finishing second behind 4-5 favorite Wickedizaswickeduz in a six-furlong maiden special weight race July 3. The 67 Beyer Speed Figure she received for her strong effort is the best in the field Friday. Her pedigree and the 448 Tomlinson Figure for the distance suggest she could thrive in her first try going around two turns.
Caliente Gold’s unraced dam, Ema Mae, is by Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker. Ema Mae is out of Clamorosa, a multiple route stakes winner who won the Grade 3 River Cities at Louisiana Downs.
Adding to her appeal is that jockey Julien Couton sticks with her despite winning aboard Suite One in her last start. Suite One is the only route winner in the field and looks like the one to beat.
Trained by Dan Markle, Suite One was racing on dirt for the first time when she romped in a $15,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs at Emerald on July 11. Her other win came at Golden Gate Fields, where she won a one-mile, $20,000 maiden-claiming race on turf Jan. 3.
Francisco Duran picks up the mount.
KEY CONTENDERS
Caliente Gold (Beyers: 67-48)
◗ She gives away a lot of experience but could have considerable potential. Considering her pedigree, she also could take a big step forward while stretching out to a middle distance.
Suite One (Last 3 Beyers: 58-58-45)
◗ Despite getting bumped at the start, she easily won her first start at Emerald, and at least we know she is capable of handling the distance.
Ritzy Tags (Last 3 Beyers: 54-56-56)
◗ Trained by Frank Lucarelli, she hasn’t run a bad race at the meet, and she came from a stalking position to blow away older fillies and mares in a $25,000 claiming race for non-winners of two in her latest. A similar trip could be in the cards here.
◗ She was probably over the top when she was eased in her only try at the distance, which came in her final race as a 2-year-old at Santa Anita last October.