Debut win makes Top Harbor the one to beat in Everett Nevin Stakes

Trainer Tim McCanna was disappointed when Top Harbor didn’t draw into a maiden race at Golden Gate Fields last month, but what seemed like bad luck then may have been a blessing in disguise.

“It might have helped him,” McCanna said. “We were able to get a little more work into him.”

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Top Harbor won his debut later that month, on June 29 at Pleasanton, and he could be favored to pick up his first stakes win in Saturday’s $50,000 Everett Nevin at 5 1/2 furlongs at Pleasanton, Northern California’s first 2-year-old stakes of 2020.

Top Harbor, a Harbor the Gold colt, sat second early in his debut. He moved a bit wide approaching the quarter pole and stuck his head in front in the lane. He defeated My Father Footstep, one of his Saturday rivals, by one length. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 53, tops in the Everett Nevin field.

“He always acted like a good one,” said McCanna, noting all four of his siblings from the multiple stakes-winning mare Reba Is Tops are winners.

It was a strong effort in his debut, but McCanna believes there’s room for improvement.

“He changed leads a little late in the lane, but when he did he began to edge away,” McCanna said.

Top Harbor drew the rail for the Everett Nevin, but has enough speed to avoid traffic problems.

But five other debut winners will be making their second start, as will My Father Foostep. The other two starters are both coming off a victory.

The other debut winners are Gardees World, Tom’s Song, and A Little Bit Lucky, who all won at Golden Gate; Hendavid, who graduated at Santa Anita; and David Nose Best, who ships in from Emerald Downs.

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The other two in the race are Mando, who won his second start after losing to Tom’s Song, and Poso Creek, who held on in a maiden claimer on July 4 at Pleasanton.

Tom’s Song, who went wire to wire May 24 at Golden Gate Fields, could provide the primary competition to Top Harbor. Tom’s Song is drawn toward the outside in post 6, where jockey Kyle Frey can take good advantage of his early speed.

Frank Alvarado, who rode both Top Harbor and Tom’s Song in their wins, is not riding Saturday. William Antongeorgi has worked Top Harbor and will ride him Saturday.

Lightinthedarkness, who won a maiden race by 7 1/2 lengths last Sunday, is passing the Everett Nevin.