Copy Begone goes for three in a row
Copy Begone will be going for the hat trick and should get it when she runs in a $25,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs on Friday. The six-furlong dash attracted nine horses and headlines a seven-race card that begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific.
Copy Begone is trending in the right direction, and if she keeps moving forward, she will be a handful Friday. Trained by Steve Bullock, Copy Begone was sent off as the favorite when she made her first start of the year in a $7,500 claiming race for non-winners of two lifetime April 22. With Rocco Bowen aboard, she stalked the pace before drawing off to win the 5 1/2-furlong dash by 3 1/4 lengths.
Bullock was impressed enough by her performance to bring her back in an open $20,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies. She was up to the challenge, breaking sharply, and after dueling through quick fractions, she drew off to beat Pebble Beach by 4 3/4 lengths. Her backers were rewarded with a $19 payoff.
Bowen, who was aboard for both of her wins, bails to ride Our Clementine for trainer Tom Wenzel.
Juan Gutierrez picks up the mount on Copy Begone, who will break from post 5.
Our Clementine is coming off a game win over Grindstone Shine in a $25,000 claiming race restricted to Washington-bred non-winners of two lifetime. It was her first start of the year, and she certainly is eligible to move forward with a race behind her.
Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Copy Begone, by Demon Warlock
Last 3 Beyers: 67-48-22
◗ She appears to be vastly improved as a 3-year-old and is capable of taking them all the way if she breaks on top or stalks what figures to be a fast and contested pace.
Our Clementine, by Papa Clem
Last 3 Beyers: 46-54-37
◗ She closed out her 2-year-old campaign with an easy win in a $25,000 maiden-claiming race and should move forward following a game win in her 3-year-old debut.
FORMULATOR FACT: Since 2012, Wenzel has a 26 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.
Pebble Beach, by Proud Citizen
Last 3 Beyers: 57-61-13
◗ She was a sharp winner of a $25,000 maiden-claiming race in her first start of the year and held on well to finish second after dueling with Copy Cat in her first try with winners May 15.
◗ She could be up against it breaking from the inside post, but she appears to be versatile and could get a nice trip if jockey Leslie Mawing can get her off the rail and find a clear path when some of the speed starts to fade.