Coming in Hot has the streaking Wright on his side

Blaine Wright was the leading trainer at Emerald Downs for the first time last year, and if he continues the torrid pace he’s on at the current meet there is an excellent chance he’ll repeat.

Following Invested Prospect’s impressive win in a $50,000 optional claimer last Sunday, Wright had won with half of his 12 starters at Emerald this year. The six wins give him an early two-win lead in trainer standings over Charlie Essex, Michael Puhich, and Frank Lucarelli.

Wright could win Friday’s feature with Coming in Hot. The $15,000 conditional claiming race for 3-year-olds and up drew seven horses and goes as race 6. Wright also has Heroes for Ghosts entered in the 5 1/2-furlong dash.

Coming in Hot will be making his first start this year, and it isn’t the 4-year-old’s racing record that makes him attractive. His strong set of works highlighted by a bullet five-furlong move in 58.20 seconds April 4 suggests he has moved forward over the winter. With his good speed, he could be gone if he breaks alertly from post 2 with Jose Zunino riding.

Last year, Coming in Hot won three races from eight starts. After Wright claimed him for $10,000 on behalf of Seamist Racing LLC on June 25, he won back-to-back $10,000 claiming races for 3-year-olds on July 29 and Aug. 21. They lost him in his second win but took him back for $15,000 on Sept. 5. In his next and final start of 2016, he showed brief speed before fading when he faced older horses for the first time in a $12,500 conditional claimer Oct. 2 at the Oak Tree meet at Pleasanton.

KEY CONTENDERS

Coming in Hot, by Marino Marini

Last 3 Beyers: 55-56-65

◗ He is working like he’s on a mission, and anything coming out of Wright’s barn has to be taken very seriously.

Valid Keiki, by Successful Appeal

Last 3 Beyers: 60-66-69

◗ Trained by Frank Lucarelli, he makes his first start since last May. He can fire fresh as demonstrated by his debut win and when he finished a close fourth to the multiple stakes winner Barkley coming off a layoff in a $50,000 optional claimer at Emerald last year.

◗ He drew the rail and could be dangerous with the hot-riding apprentice Kevin Orozco aboard.

Hoody, by Nationhood

Last 3 Beyers: 70-76-75

◗ He has the most wins in the field with four, and his bullet six-furlong move out of the gate in 1:11.60 on April 2 is a good sign he’s ready for a big effort coming off the bench.

◗ The Kay Cooper-trained 6-year-old could be vulnerable at the distance, though. He has won sprinting, but never going this short.