Cutback should benefit Blue Law

The move back to a sprint could help Blue Law get over the top in a $15,000 conditional-claiming race that will serve as Friday’s feature at Emerald Downs. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up who have never won three races drew seven horses. Post time for the first of seven races is 6:30 p.m. Pacific.

Blue Law is coming off a fifth-place finish in a one-mile, $15,000 conditional-claiming race for trainer Candi Tollett on July 15. Breaking from the outside post in the eight-horse field with Rocco Bowen aboard, he forced the early pace while going four wide around the first turn.

He was claimed out of the race by trainer Manuel Ortiz, who brought him back to work a snappy three furlongs in 34.80 seconds Monday. The sharp work could be a signal that he is going to duplicate his runner-up finish behind Blame It On Royce at this level going six furlongs June 24. If he does, he’s probably the winner with Bowen retaining the mount.

Blue Law will break from post 2.

KEY CONTENDERS

Blue Law, by Dunkirk
Last 3 Beyers: 59-80-44

◗ He isn’t the most consistent horse around, but due to going wide on the first turn, we can give him a pass on his latest.

◗ The 80 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his narrow loss to Blame It On Royce stands out, and the race was validated when Blame It On Royce received an 82 Beyer for his romp in a $25,000 conditional-claiming race July 30.

Viewingthegold, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 72-66-70

◗ Trained by Jose Navarro, he will appreciate the easier company after being the runner-up to Blame It On Royce July 30.

◗ The lightly raced 4-year-old is versatile and drew post 6, where Leonel Camacho-Flores should be able to put him into a stalking position.

Thorn Legacy, by Thorn Song
Last 3 Beyers: 76-69-63

◗ The Roy Lumm-trained 4-year-old is coming off a couple of decent routes in $15,000 conditional claimers, the latest a runner-up finish July 30.

◗ Both of his wins came sprinting, so he won’t mind the cutback in distance, and he should be rolling late in a race where the speed could be backing up.

Capital Expense, by Scots Pine
Last 3 Beyers: 60-54-63

◗ Trained by Robert Baze, he took them a long way before giving way late in a $15,000 conditional-claiming race July 21. He is the one they will have to run down if he breaks alertly from the inside post with Julien Couton riding.

Friday’s card kicks off the biggest weekend of the year at Emerald, culminating with the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile on Sunday. With 123 pounds, the Frank Lucarelli-trained Mach One Rules will be the starting highweight in the premier race in the Pacific Northwest.