Claimer could set up well for Aliante

Aliante has the right kind of running style to win a $15,000 claimer that will serve as Saturday’s feature at Emerald Downs. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up which have never won two races drew a well-matched field of seven horses and will go as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 5 p.m. Pacific.

Aliante has speed but can stalk, and he should get a nice trip sitting just off what could be a fast and contested pace.

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With Julien Couton riding, he came from a stalking position to win an $8,000 maiden claimer for trainer Blaine Wright on May 20. He was claimed out of the race by trainer Charles Essex, who was acting on behalf of Steven Tillotson, and in his first start for his new connections finished second in a $25,000 claimer for 3-year-olds on June 1.

Leading rider Rocco Bowen will be aboard when Aliante breaks from post 3 on Saturday.

The horses likely to be involved in the duel are Cody’s Choice and Buckley Bay, who each is coming off a loss as the favorite.

KEY CONTENDERS

Aliante, by Dixie Chatter
Last 3 Beyers: 53-64-60

◗ He has had a couple of sharp interim works, and hasn’t been worse than third in six straight starts.

◗ The past five years, Essex has a 26 percent strike rate and $2.91 return on investment with horses making their second start after being claimed.

Buckley Bay, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 37-35-62

◗ He got hooked and cooked in his first start as a 4-year-old in a $7,500 non-winners of two, and could be dangerous with a race behind him.

◗ He will need to avoid getting into an all-out duel with Cody’s Choice, but he drew outside the other speed in post 6, where jockey Gary Wales may be able to get him to relax early.

◗ The Washington-bred gelding, formerly trained by Tom Wenzel, will be making his first start for trainer Dan Markle, who over a five-year period has excellent numbers with claimed horses running back the first time: 28 percent winners with a $3.11 return on investment.

Omache Kid, by Polish Miner
Last 3 Beyers: 52-45-57

◗ Trained by Preston Boyd, he overcame a poor start to win an $8,000 maiden claimer in his only start this year and could take a big step forward with a race behind him.

◗ It is never easy facing winners the first time, but he should be rolling late and there will be speed coming back to him.

◗ He will break from post 2 with Couton picking up the mount from Bowen.